Comprehensive information and links about Dionigi Tettamanzi

Dionigi Tettamanzi (born March 14, 1934 in Renate, ItalyDionigi Tettamanzi is a prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He currently serves as Archbishop of Milan, and was elevated to cardinal priest (with the title of Ss. Ambrogio e Carlo) in consistory of 21 February 1998 by Pope John Paul II. Previous to his service in Milan, Tettamanzi was Archbishop of Genova.

After studying in local seminaries, Tettamanzi was ordained a priest on June 28, 1957. It was administered by the future Pope Paul VI. He served in the Archdiocese of Milan until July 1, 1989 when Pope John Paul II appointed Tettamanzi as bishop of the present-day Archdiocese of Ancona-Osimo. He was officially ordained at the motherchurch on the following September 23. Upon being chosen as Secretary-General and Vice President of the Italian Episcopal Conference, Tettamanzi submitted his resignation as bishop on April 6, 1991.

Pope John Paul II called Tettamanzi back into active ministry by appointing him to the Archdiocese of Genova. He was asked to become its archbishop on April 20, 1995. On February 21, 1998, Tettamanzi was summoned to Vatican City to receive the papal honor becoming a member of the College of Cardinals. Upon the announced retirement of Jesuit Carlo Maria Cardinal Martini, Tettamanzi was reassigned. Pope John Paul II appointed Tettamanzi as Archbishop of Milan on July 11, 2002.

With the death and funeral of Pope John Paul II came intense speculation as to the cardinal to be chosen in the papal conclave to be the Holy Father's successor. Tettamanzi's position as prelate of an archdiocese that was seen historically as a step towards the papacy (considered one of the wealthiest and most powerful of the dioceses of Italy), as well as his charisma and popularity among the people, placed Tettamanzi as one of the overall favorites to become John Paul II's successor, a position later held by Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI.