Poletto, Severino*

Cardinal Severino Poletto, Archbishop Emeritus of Turin, Italy, was born on March 18, 1933 in Salgareda (Treviso), Italy. He was ordained for the Diocese of Casale Monferrato on June 29, 1957 and holds a licentiate in moral theology from the Alphonsian Academy, Rome.

He was a curate in Montemagno, prefect of discipline at the diocesan seminary and vocation director. In 1965 he was named parish priest of St Mary of the Assumption in the Oltreponte area of Casale. In that period he also worked part-time at a local factory. In 1973 he founded the Diocesan Centre for Family Ministry and in 1974 coordinated the city mission for the 500th anniversary of the Diocese's foundation.

On April 3, 1980 he was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Fossano and received episcopal ordination on May 17. On October 29 he succeeded Archbishop Giovanni Dadone. For 10 years he was also secretary of the Piedmontese Episcopal Conference. On March 16, 1989 he was named Bishop of Asti and on June 19, 1999 was appointed Archbishop of Turin.

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the consistory of February 21, 2001, of the Title of S. Giuseppe in Via Trionfale (St. Joseph in Via Trionfale), deaconry elevated pro hac vice to presbyteral title.

Member of:

  • Congregation for the Clergy:
  • Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See;
  • Pontifical Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church.