Cardinal Fortunato Frezza, Tit. Archbishop of Treba, Canon of Saint Peter’s, was born in Rome on 6 February 1942. In 1966, after studies in the minor seminary of Bagnoregio and the major seminary of Viterbo, he was ordained a priest.

In 1967 he received a licentiate in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University, and in 1977 he obtained a degree in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome with a philological thesis on the book of the prophet Micah.

During his priestly ministry he held the following positions and ministries: from 1971 to 1984 he was parish priest in Spicciano and at the same time lecturer in Sacred Scripture at various theological institutes: the Pontifical Gregorian University (as assistant), La Quercia Viterbo Regional Seminary, various Institutes of Religious Sciences (Albano, Civita Castellana, Viterbo), International Theological Studentate of the Josephites of Murialdo in Viterbo and the Salesians in the Holy Land.

In 1983 he was appointed in the general secretariat of the Synod of Bishops, and from 1997 to 2014 he served as under-secretary.

In 1999 he was appointed Prelate of Honor of His Holiness.

In 2013 he was appointed canon of the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican, and in 2022 became Camerlengo of the Chapter of Saint Peter in the Vatican.

He has also served as spiritual assistant to staff in the Directorate of Health and Hygiene at the Vatican; spiritual assistance to several monasteries of nuns; and chaplain of the A.S. Roma football team.

His publications currently number 123 titles, particularly in the biblical field.

On 23 July 2022 He received his Episcopal Consecration in the Vatican Basilica from His Eminence Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, Archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, Vicar General of His Holiness for Vatican City, becoming Titular Archbishop of Treba.

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by Pope Francis in the consistory of 27 August 2022, of the Deaconry of S. Maria in Via Lata.