Giuseppe Versaldi

Who is Giuseppe Versaldi?

Giuseppe Versaldi is president of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See, since his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI on 21 September 2011. He previously served 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 since 2006 has served as Cardinal Secretary of State.