Cardinal Giuseppe Petrocchi, Archbishop of L’Aquila (Italy) was born in Ascoli Piceno, Italy, on 19 August 1948.

He entered the Episcopal Seminary of Ascoli Piceno in 1965 and completed his high school studies at the classical lyceum.

He completed his philosophical and theological studies at the Pontifical Lateran University, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a licentiate in dogmatic theology. He obtained two degrees at the State University: the first in philosophy in Macerata and the second in psychology in Rome.

He knows French, English, German and Spanish.

He was ordained a priest on 14 September 1973 in Ascoli Piceno, the diocese where he was incardinated.

Since priestly ordination he has held the following offices: head of the diocesan Youth Ministry (1973-1975); professor of Religion at the Liceo Scientifico Orsini of Ascoli Piceno (1973-1978); director of the vocational diocesan centre (1975-1985); professor of philosophy, pedagogy and psychology at the Trebbiani Magistral Institute of Ascoli Piceno and later at the Stabili Pedagogic High School (1978-1997); parish priest in Cerreto di Venarotta (1980-1985); parish priest in Trisungo (1985-1998); editor-in-chief of the diocesan Bulletin (1991-1998); psychologist at the Diocesan Family Counselling Centre and teacher at the diocesan School of Theology (1995-1998).

From 1973 to 1998 he worked intensively in the diocese in the field of youth and family ministry.

On 27 June 1998 he was elected to the episcopal See of Latina-Terracina-Sezze-Priverno, receiving episcopal ordination the following 20 September.

On 8 June 2013 he was appointed as archbishop of L’Aquila.

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by Pope Francis in the consistory of 28 June 2018, of the Title of San Giovanni Battista dei Fiorentini.

Member of:

• Council for the Economy.
• Dicasteries: for the Causes of Saints; for the Clergy.
• Cardinal Commission for the Supervision of the Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR).