Cardinal Zuppi succeeds 80-year-old Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti, who led the episcopal conference for a five-year term beginning in 2017.
ROME — Pope Francis has chosen Cardinal Matteo Zuppi as the next president of the Italian episcopal conference following a vote on Tuesday.
Cardinal Zuppi, 66, has a reputation as a “cycling cardinal” for his propensity for cycling in the northern Italian city of Bologna, which he has ruled as archbishop since 2015.
It also has strong ties to the influential community of Sant’Egidio.
The cardinal was chosen to lead the Episcopal Conference of Italy (CEI) at the group’s 76th general assembly, held in Rome May 23-27.
Pope Francis had previously asked the Italian bishops to adopt a new statute that would allow them to elect the president themselves, but the bishops preferred to leave the choice to the pope, who, as bishop of Rome, is also Primate of Italy.
As part of a compromise, the bishops presented a list of the three candidates with the most votes to the pope, who could then choose between the three or opt for a different candidate.
Cardinal Zuppi succeeds 80-year-old Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti, who led the episcopal conference for a five-year term beginning in 2017.
Pope Francis named Zuppi cardinal in 2019. For years, the Rome native has been ranked among the “papabile— possible future popes — but shed light on the speculation.
Before being transferred to Bologna, Cardinal Zuppi served as Auxiliary Bishop of Rome for three years. He was responsible for the area of the historic center of the city, which includes the neighborhood of Trastevere, where the headquarters of the Community of Sant’Egidio is located.
Sant’Egidio is a Catholic lay association that helps migrants and promotes ecumenism. He has also helped broker reconciliation, including organizing peace talks in countries like Mozambique and South Sudan.
