Cardinal Ravasi was born on October 18, 1942 in Merate.

He was ordained a Priest on June 28, 1966 for Milano {Milan}, Italy. On September 3, 2007 he was appointed Titular Archbishop of Villamagna in Proconsulari, President of the Pontifical Council for Culture, President of the Pontifical Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church, and President of the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archeology, all of which he ceased to be on February 28, 2013 upon the retirement of Pope Benedict XVI.

His ordination as Bishop took place on September 29, 2007.

On November 20, 2010 he was appointed Cardinal-Deacon of San Giorgio in Velabro and elevated to Cardinal. He was installed on January 23, 2011.

On February 28, 2013 he ceased his positions as President of the Pontifical Council for Culture, President of the Pontifical Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church, and President of the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archeology.