Cardinal Roberto Tucci, S.J. was born on April 19, 1921 in Naples, Italy. He was ordained for the Jesuits on August 24, 1950 and holds doctorates in philosophy (Naples) and theology (Rome).
He was editor of La Civiltà Cattolica, a member of the Preparatory Commission on the Apostolate of the Laity for Vatican II and a peritus involved in drafting Ad gentes and Gaudium et spes. He was a consultor to the Pontifical Council for Social Communications (1965-89) and a member of the editorial committee for the Pastoral Instruction Communio et progressio. He was also vice-president of the Italian Catholic Union of the Press (1961-82) and general secretary of the Italian Province of the Jesuits (1967-69).
In 1973 he was appointed general manager of Vatican Radio and since 1982 has been responsible for organizing all papal visits outside Italy. He served as Chairman of the Administrative Committee of Vatican Radio in 1986 until 2001.
Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the Consistory of February 21, 2001, of the Deaconry of St. Ignatius of Loyola at Campo Marzio, and was appointed as Cardinal-Priest of Sant’Ignazio di Loyola a Campo Marzio on Febuary 21, 2011.
