Cardinal Giovanni Saldarini, Archbishop emeritus of Turin (Italy), was born on 11 December 1924 in Cantù, province of Como, Archdiocese of Milan. He was ordained a priest on 31 May 1947 in the Cathedral of Milan.

He received a licentiate in theology from the faculty of theology in Milan and in 1952 he received a licentiate in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome.

From 1952 to 1967, he taught Sacred Scripture at the seminary of Venegono. In 1967 he was named parish priest and on 24 April 1979 he was named Prelate of Honor of His Holiness.

On 18 June 1983 he was made Pro-Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Milan. He was responsible for improving the pastoral program of every office of the diocese.

On 10 November 1984 he was named titular Bishop of Gaudiaba and Auxiliary to the Archbishop of Milan. Then, on 31 January 1989, he was named Archbishop of Turin. He was also named Vice-President of the North of the Italian Episcopal Conference (until 1995).

Author of many written works.

On 18 August 1990, the Holy Father, in response to the desire expressed by Cardinal Anastasio Alberto Ballestrero, Cardinal Saldarini was made the Holy Father’s representative in concerning the Shroud of Turin.

On 19 June 1999, due to illness, he resigned as Archbishop of Turin.

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the consistory of 28 June 1991, of the Title of Sacro Cuore di Gesù a Castro Pretorio (Sacred Heart of Jesus a Castro Pretorio), Deaconry raised pro hac vice to presbyteral title.

Cardinal Giovanni Saldarini died on 18 April 2011.