Ennio Antonelli was born in Todi, Umbria, on 18 November 1936 and ordained a priest for Todi on 2 April 1960. Appointed Bishop of Gubbio in May 1982 (consecrated 29 August), he built the new seminary, diocesan pastoral centre, and clergy house there, then became Archbishop of Perugia–Città della Pieve in 1988 and, from 1995 to 2001, Secretary-General of the Italian bishops' conference.
On 21 March 2001 John Paul II appointed him Archbishop of Florence (installed 20 May); John Paul II created him a cardinal on 21 October 2003, with the title of Sant'Andrea delle Fratte. Considered papabile in 2005, he was moved in June 2008 to Rome as President of the Pontifical Council for the Family, serving until June 2012 and overseeing the 2009 World Meeting of Families in Mexico City. As the Vatican's family point man he defended the traditional family against what he called “a further privatization of the family, as if the family were irrelevant for society.” He voted in the conclaves of 2005 and 2013. His motto is Voluntas Dei pax nostra — “the will of God is our peace.”
Consequential Quotes
I view with concern this progressive slide toward a further privatization of the family, as if the family were irrelevant for society.
Major Works & Initiatives
President of the family council
The Vatican's voice for the family.
Archbishop of Florence
Seven years in the Tuscan see.
Secretary-General of Italy's bishops
Ran the national conference's administration.
Controversies
On the record
No significant public controversies reported.