Cardinal Anthony Poola, Metropolitan Archbishop of Hyderabad (India), was born on 15 November 1961 in Poluru, in the diocese of Kurnool. After attending the minor seminary in Nuzvid, he studied at Saint Peter’s Pontifical Seminary in Bangalore.

He received priestly ordination on 20 February 1992 and was incardinated in the diocese of Cuddapah.

After his priestly ordination, he held the following positions: 1992-1993: parish vicar in Saint Mary’s Cathedral; 1993-1994: parish vicar in Amagampalli; 1994-2001: and parish priest in various parishes: 1994-1995 in Tekurpet; 1995-2000 in Badvel; 2000-2001 in Veerapalli; 2001-2003. He studied for a master's degree in pastoral care and attended a course in theology at Loyola University, Chicago, in the United States of America, where he provided pastoral service at Saint Genevieve Church, in the archdiocese of Chicago.

From 2004 to 2008 he was director of the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging.

He also served as diocesan consultor, secretary for education, and deputy administrator of the schools of the diocese of Cuddapah and coordinator of the Sponsorship Program.

On 8 February 2008 he was appointed bishop of Kurnool

On 19 November 2020, the Holy Father Francis appointed him metropolitan archbishop of Hyderabad, India.

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by Pope Francis in the consistory of 27 August 2022, of the Title of Ss. Protomartiri a Via Aurelia Antica.

Member of:

• Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.