Augusto Paolo Lojudice was born in Rome on 1 July 1964 and prepared for the priesthood at the Pontifical Roman Major Seminary, studying philosophy and theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University (1983–1989) and taking a licentiate in theology with a specialisation in fundamental theology. Ordained a priest on 6 May 1989 for the Diocese of Rome, he ministered in some of the capital's most difficult parishes — San Luca Evangelista at Prenestino-Labicano among them — and became known for work with immigrants, Roma communities, the poor and people caught up in organised crime. From 2005 to 2013 he was spiritual director of the Pontifical Roman Major Seminary.
Pope Francis appointed him auxiliary bishop of Rome on 6 March 2015, with responsibility for the southern sector of the diocese and as vicar general of the suburbicarian see of Ostia; he was ordained bishop on 23 May 2015, choosing the motto Mihi fecistis (Mt 25:40). On 6 May 2019 Francis named him Metropolitan Archbishop of Siena-Colle di Val d'Elsa-Montalcino, and he took possession that 16 June. Francis created him cardinal on 28 November 2020, with the title of San Leonardo da Porto Maurizio ad Acilia, and on 21 July 2022 appointed him also Bishop of Montepulciano-Chiusi-Pienza, uniting the two sees in persona episcopi. Within the Italian bishops' conference he has served the Commission for Migrations. He was a cardinal elector in the 2025 conclave.
Consequential Quotes
One thing is certain: if we read history shut up in the present, we must conclude that love is defeated.
We are made to meet one another, to dialogue and to love, because we are the image of God.
It is a city with great potential, which holds within itself a very rich and vast quantity of beauty in works of art, in traditions, culture, spirituality, holiness and even in folklore — things not easily found in a single place as in Siena.
Every city, every community, seen from afar, seems closed. You have to live in this city first-hand to understand that you cannot go by stereotypes built by others.
Major Works & Initiatives
Spiritual director, Pontifical Roman Major Seminary
Formed Rome's seminarians for eight years, after parish ministry in the Prenestino-Labicano district — the two poles, formation and the street, of his priesthood.
Auxiliary bishop for Rome's southern sector; vicar general of Ostia
Responsible for the diocese's southern periphery and the port city of Ostia, where his work with migrants and against mafia influence drew Pope Francis's attention.
Santa Maria della Scala and Siena's charities
As archbishop he promoted the ancient hospital of Santa Maria della Scala — for a thousand years Siena's house of welcome for pilgrims, the poor and foundlings — as the emblem of the archdiocese's charitable mission.
Bishop of Montepulciano-Chiusi-Pienza in persona episcopi
Given a second Tuscan diocese to govern personally alongside Siena, an arrangement reflecting the Italian Church's consolidation of smaller sees.
Controversies
On the record
No significant public controversies reported.