Giuseppe Versaldi

His Eminence Giuseppe Versaldi
Prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education
File:Giuseppe Cardinal Versaldi.jpg
Archdiocese	Archdiocese of Vercelli
Province	13pxVercelli ( Piamonte Region), Italy
Appointed	31 March 2015, Prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education, by Pope Francis
Predecessor	13pxZenon Cardinal Grocholewski
Other posts	Cardinal-Deacon of Sacro Cuore di Gesù a Castro Pretorio
Orders
Ordination	29 June 1967 by Albino Mensa
Consecration	26 May 2007 by Enrico Masseroni
Created Cardinal	18 February 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI
Rank	Cardinal-Deacon
Personal details
Birth name	Giuseppe Versaldi
Born	(1943-07-30) 30 July 1943 13pxVillarboit, Vercelli (Italy)
Nationality	Italian
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Previous post	President of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See (2011–2015) Bishop of Alessandria (della Paglia) from 2007 to 2011; appointed on 4 April 2007 by Pope Benedict XVI
Alma mater	Pontifical Gregorian University Roman Rota
Motto	Christi Minister
Coat of arms	Giuseppe Versaldi's coat of arms

Styles of Giuseppe Versaldi
150px
Reference style	His Eminence
Spoken style	Your Eminence
Informal style	Cardinal

Giuseppe Versaldi (born 30 July 1943) is the Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education, since his appointment, by Pope Francis on 31 March 2015 to succeed Zenon Cardinal Grocholewski. Previously, Cardinal Versaldi had served as Cardinal President of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See since 21 September 2011. Cardinal Versaldi had served before that as Bishop of Alessandria. He was elevated to the cardinalate on 18 February 2012.

Versaldi was born in Villarboit in 1943 and was ordained a priest on 29 June 1967. In 1972 he was sent to Rome to study psychology and then canon law at the Pontifical Gregorian University, where he earned a degree in psychology and a doctorate in canon law. Versaldi returned to Vercelli in 1976, was instructed to start the diocesan Family Counseling centre in the same diocese. At the same time he attended courses at the Roman Rota. He received his law degree in 1980.

In 1977 he was entrusted with the care of the Parish of Larizza in the Diocese. In 1980 he was called to teach canon law and psychology at the Pontifical Gregorian University. In 1985 he was appointed by the Holy See and in 1990 voter referendum at the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura.

On 25 March 1994 he was appointed Vicar General of Vercelli, by the then Archbishop Tarcisio Bertone, who from 2006, until 2013 served as Cardinal Secretary of State.

Pope Benedict XVI named him Bishop of Alessandria on 4 April 2007. He was consecrated on 26 May 2007, by Enrico Masseroni, Archbishop of Vercelli, as principal consecrator, and Bishops Fernando Charrier and Natalino Pescarolo as co-consecrators. He was installed on 10 June.

After four years as bishop of Alessandria, Versaldi was named President of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See and archbishop on 21 September 2011 by Pope Benedict XVI.

On 18 February 2012 he was created Cardinal-Deacon of Sacro Cuore di Gesù a Castro Pretorio by Benedict XVI. On 21 April 2012 Cardinal Versaldi was appointed a member of the Apostolic Signatura, the Congregation for Bishops and the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. Cardinal Versaldi will hold these memberships until his 80th birthday.

Cardinal Versaldi was one of the 117 cardinal electors who took part in the 2013 conclave. On 31 March 2015 Pope Francis appointed Cardinal Versaldi as Prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education, replacing Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski.

References

Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Fernando Charrier	Bishop of Alessandria 4 April 2007 – 21 September 2011	Succeeded by Guido Gallese
Preceded by Velasio de Paolis	President of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See 21 September 2011 – 31 March 2015	Vacant
Preceded by Zenon Cardinal Grocholewski	Prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education 31 March 2015 – present	Incumbent