Giuseppe Petrocchi was born on 19 August 1948 in Ascoli Piceno, Italy. He entered the episcopal seminary there in 1965, studied at the Pontifical Lateran University — a bachelor's degree in philosophy and a licentiate in dogmatic theology — and took further state degrees in philosophy at Macerata and in psychology in Rome. Ordained a priest on 14 September 1973 for Ascoli Piceno, he spent 25 years in diocesan ministry: youth ministry, director of the vocations centre from 1975 to 1985, parish priest, editor-in-chief of the diocesan bulletin from 1991 to 1998, and psychologist at the diocesan family counselling centre, while teaching religion, philosophy and psychology in state schools.
On 27 June 1998 John Paul II appointed him Bishop of Latina-Terracina-Sezze-Priverno; he received episcopal ordination on 20 September 1998 and led that diocese for 15 years, concluding with a diocesan synod in 2011–2012. On 8 June 2013 Pope Francis appointed him Archbishop of L'Aquila, a city still rebuilding after the 2009 earthquake that killed 309 people. His installation began with prayer at the ruins where eight students had died; under him the Basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio fully reopened in December 2017, while he pressed for work on the still-closed cathedral. In August 2022 he hosted Pope Francis in L'Aquila for the Celestinian Pardon, when Francis became the first pope in 728 years to open the basilica's Holy Door.
Pope Francis created him a cardinal in the consistory of 28 June 2018, assigning him the titular church of San Giovanni Battista dei Fiorentini. He is a member of the Council for the Economy and of the Dicastery for the Clergy, and in 2020 Francis named him president of a new study commission on the female diaconate, whose report was published in December 2025. He resigned as Archbishop of L'Aquila on 1 August 2024 and participated as a cardinal elector in the 2025 conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV.
Consequential Quotes
I think that with my nomination, Pope Francis wanted to give the message that he is here with us, that he is with us as we take the various steps toward the Resurrection, which is not only the reconstruction of what was, but openness to something new that comes from God.
I ministered the Confirmation of a young group. Then an old man came up to me full of excitement. He told me he heard my name on the television, the pope said it among the names of the 14 new cardinals. I thought he was joking because I didn't know anything, so I went along with the joke.
I think we need the Samaritan's sensitivity. This doesn't only involve doing things for others, but handling the other person's situation.
Pope Francis will be the first pontiff to open the Holy Door after 728 years.
The commission insisted on the urgency of valuing 'baptismal diakonia' as the foundation of any ecclesial ministry.
It should also be emphasized that the various commissions were unanimous in pointing out the need to expand 'communal spaces' so that women can participate adequately and share responsibility in the church's decision-making bodies, including through the creation of new lay ministries.
Major Works & Initiatives
Bishop of Latina and the catechesis of communion
Bishop of Latina-Terracina-Sezze-Priverno from 1998 to 2013; much of his ministry there built unity across the merged diocese, issuing pastoral letters and 'Notes for a Catechesis of Communion' and concluding with a diocesan synod in 2011–2012.
Rebuilding L'Aquila after the 2009 earthquake
As Archbishop of L'Aquila (2013–2024) he oversaw the Church's part in the city's post-2009 recovery, including the full reopening of the Basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio in December 2017 and appeals to restore the earthquake-damaged cathedral.
President of the Study Commission on the Female Diaconate
Named by Pope Francis in 2020 to preside over the second Study Commission on the Female Diaconate; its report, sent to Pope Leo XIV on 18 September 2025 and published that December, ruled out admitting women to the sacramental diaconate while leaving the question open to further study.
The 2022 Celestinian Pardon and the papal visit
Hosted Pope Francis in L'Aquila on 28 August 2022 for the Celestinian Pardon; Francis was the first pope since Celestine V instituted the celebration in 1294 to open the Holy Door of Santa Maria di Collemaggio.
Controversies
On the record
No significant public controversies reported.
Sources
- Holy See Press Office — biography
- Wikipedia
- Catholic News Service via CatholicPhilly — Red hat and rubble, 31 May 2018
- Rome Reports — Giuseppe Petrocchi: cardinal from areas devastated by earthquakes, 11 July 2018
- Catholic News Service via Catholic Sun — Pope's trip to L'Aquila raises questions about papal resignations, 7 June 2022
- Catholic News Service via Detroit Catholic — Papal commission votes against ordaining women deacons