Cardinal Attilio Nicora, Pontifical Legate for the Basilicas of St. Francis and of St. Mary of the Angels in Assisi, President emeritus of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See, President emeritus of the Financial Information Authority, was born on 16 March 1937 in Varese, Archdiocese of Milan, Italy. 

He was ordained a priest on 27 June 1964. He holds a degree in jurisprudence, a licentiate in theology and a doctorate in canon law. Cardinal Nicora taught canon law and public ecclesiastical law in the Major Seminary of Milan, where he later became rector. 

On 16 April 1977 he was elected titular Bishop of Furnos minor and Auxiliary of the Archdiocese of Milan and on 28 May 1977 he was ordained, later becoming the pro-vicar general. He was appointed President of the Commission of the Italian Bishops’ Conference (CEI) for Ecclesiastical Institutes and Goods; President of the Episcopal Commission for Charitable Service and of the Italian Caritas. 

On 30 June 1992 he was transferred to Verona and continued his collaboration with the Holy See on juridical matters. 

On 18 September 1997, he returned to Rome as delegate of the presidency of the CEI he continued to deal with juridical matters. He also represented the CEI at the Commission of the Episcopates of the European Community and in 2000 he was nominated vice president.

On 1 October 2002 he was nominated Archbishop and President of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See.

On 21 February 2006 he was nominated Pontifical Legate for the Basilicas of St. Francis and of St. Mary of the Angels in Assisi.

Member of Cardinal Commission for the Supervision of the Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR) (2007 - February 2013).

On 19 January 2011 he was appointed President of the Vatican’s Financial Information Authority.

President emeritus of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See, 7 July 2011.

President emeritus of the Vatican’s Financial Information Authority, 30 January 2014.

He participated in the conclave of April 2005, which elected Pope Benedict XVI and in the conclave of March 2013, which elected Pope Francis.

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by St. John Paul II in the Consistory of 21 October 2003, of the Title of S. Filippo Neri in Eurosia (St. Philip Neri in Eurosia), Deaconry elevated pro hac vice to presbyteral title (12 June 2014).

Member of:

• Secretariat of State (second section);
• Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura;
• Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts;
• Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See;
• Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State.