Anthony Poola was born on 15 November 1961 in Poluru, in the Diocese of Kurnool, India. Poverty forced him to leave school after the seventh grade, until missionaries helped him resume his education — an experience he credits with shaping his whole ministry. After the minor seminary at Nuzvid he studied at St Peter’s Pontifical Seminary in Bangalore, and he was ordained a priest on 20 February 1992 for the Diocese of Cuddapah. He served as parish vicar and then parish priest in a succession of parishes, studied pastoral care at Loyola University Chicago while serving at St Genevieve Church, and from 2004 to 2008 directed the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging and coordinated his diocese’s sponsorship programme for poor children.
On 8 February 2008 Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Bishop of Kurnool; he was consecrated on 19 April 2008. On 19 November 2020 Pope Francis appointed him Metropolitan Archbishop of Hyderabad, and he was installed on 3 January 2021. Pope Francis created him a cardinal in the consistory of 27 August 2022, assigning him the titular church of Ss. Protomartiri a Via Aurelia Antica — the first Dalit and the first Telugu to receive the red hat. He is a member of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.
His episcopal motto is “Good news to the poor,” and his Hyderabad ministry has centred on education for poor and Dalit children in the Telugu states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. He participated as a cardinal elector in the 2025 conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV. In February 2026 the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India elected him its president.
Consequential Quotes
I was in shock. It was like surprise news for me, that I never expected. I never dreamt.
It is my responsibility to take care of all the people entrusted to me according to their needs.
After seventh grade, I had to take a break from school because of poverty. I thought that was the end of my education.
I studied and my intention was to help as many poor children as possible.
All my life I have been a simple priest, simple missionary.
We treat them equally and we consider all of them as God’s children.
Major Works & Initiatives
Director, Christian Foundation for Children and Aging
Directed the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging from 2004 to 2008 and coordinated the Diocese of Cuddapah's sponsorship programme, alongside service as diocesan consultor and Secretary for Education.
Bishop of Kurnool
Appointed Bishop of Kurnool on 8 February 2008 and consecrated on 19 April 2008, returning to serve his native diocese.
First Dalit cardinal
Created cardinal by Pope Francis on 27 August 2022 — the first Dalit and the first Telugu cardinal. Member of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.
President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India
Elected to a two-year term as president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India at its 37th General Body Meeting in Bengaluru on 7 February 2026 — the first Dalit to head the conference.
Controversies
On the record
No significant public controversies reported.