Cardinal Agostino Vallini, Prefect emeritus of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, Vicar General emeritus of His Holiness and Archpriest emeritus of the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran, Gran Chancellor emeritus of the Pontifical Lateran University, Papal Legate for the Basilicas of Saint Francis and Saint Mary of the Angels in Assisi, was born on 17 April 1940 in Poli, Italy. He was ordained a priest on 19 July 1964 and obtained a law doctorate in utroque iure.

After completing his studies in Rome, Cardinal Vallini began teaching canon law in Naples. In 1971 he was called back to Rome to be a lecturer on ecclesiastical public law at the Pontifical Lateran University. This work required study and research to bring the discipline into line with the Council. The Cardinal dedicated himself to it entirely, without neglecting his part-time teaching and parish work in Naples.

In 1978 he was appointed rector of the major seminary in Naples. On 23 March 1989 he was appointed titular Bishop of Tortibulum and Auxiliary Bishop of Naples, and received episcopal ordination on 13 May.

On 13 November 1999 he was appointed Suburbicarian Bishop of Albano.

On 27 May 2004, Cardinal Vallini was appointed Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, and raised to the dignity of Archbishop.

He is also President of the Court of Appeal of Vatican City State.

On 15 September 2007, he was nominated President of the Commission for Lawyers.

Vicar General of His Holiness for the Diocese of Rome, Archpriest of the Papal Lateran Basilica, Gran Chancellor of the Pontifical Lateran University, 27 June 2008.

On 27 January 2012 he was nominated Apostolic Administrator of Ostia.  

On 18 May 18 2013, Pope Francis reconfirmed Cardinal Vallini as Vicar of Rome. 

He was a Member of the Council of Cardinals for the Study of Organizational and Economic Affairs of the Holy See.

He participated in the conclave of March 2013, which elected Pope Francis.

From June 27th 2008 to May 26th 2017 he was Vicar General of His Holiness for the Diocese of Rome and Archpriest of the Papal Lateran Basilica.

On November 4th 2017 he was nominated Pontifical Legate for the Basilicas of St. Francis and of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Assisi.

Created and proclaimed cardinal by Benedict XVI in the consistory of 24 March 2006, of the Title of San Pier Damiani ai Monti di San Paolo (St. Peter Damian ai Monti di San Paolo), Deaconry elevated pro hac vice to presbyteral title on 26 February 2009.