Roberto Pasolini

Roberto Pasolini
Pasolini in 2024
Preacher of the Papal Household
Assumed office
9 November 2024
Preceded byRaniero Cantalamessa
Personal life
Born (1971-11-05) 5 November 1971
Milan, Italy
Religious life
ReligionChristianity
DenominationCatholic Church
OrderOrder of Friars Minor Capuchin
Profession7 September 2002 (perpetual vows)
Ordination23 September 2006 (priest)

Roberto Pasolini (born 5 November 1971) is an Italian Catholic priest, Capuchin friar and biblical scholar. Since 9 November 2024, he has served as the Preacher of the Papal Household.[1]

Biography

Pasolini was born on 5 November 1971 in Milan, Italy.[2] Aged 15 or 16, he distanced himself from his local Catholic church but did not become an atheist.[3] He studied information science at the University of Milan, graduating in 1996; he wrote his thesis on artificial intelligence.[2][3] Aged 22, he returned to his faith having read the Gospel of Matthew that had been included for free with a newspaper he found while travelling on the subway.[3][4]

He entered the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin in 1997, and took his perpetual vows on 7 September 2002.[1] He was ordained a priest on 23 September 2006.[5][1] He earned a doctorate in biblical theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in 2016.[2][6]

He has taught biblical languages, sacred scripture and biblical exegesis at a number of institutions in Italy: the Pontifical Urbaniana University (2013–2017), the Laurentianum Interprovincial Theological Studium of the Friars Minor Capuchin in Milan and Venice (2016–2023), and at the Theological University of Northern Italy (from 2020).[7][8][2]

On 9 November 2024, Pope Francis appointed him as preacher of the Papal Household, in succession to Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa.[5][2] The position has been held by a member of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchins since 1743.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Father Roberto Pasolini, O.F.M. Cap". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Fr. Roberto Pasolini". www.vaticannews.va. Vatican News. 3 March 2025. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
  3. ^ a b c Mekary, Antoine (14 November 2025). "Interview with a former AI researcher—the pope's preacher!". Aleteia — Catholic Spirituality, Lifestyle, World News, and Culture. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
  4. ^ a b Brockhaus, Hannah (7 January 2025). "Pope's preacher speaks on his humanity, return to faith, and being a Bible 'expert'". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
  5. ^ a b "Resignations and Appointments". press.vatican.va. 9 November 2024. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
  6. ^ "Pope appoints Fr. Pasolini as new Preacher of Papal Household". www.vaticannews.va. Vatican News. 9 November 2024.
  7. ^ Sánchez Silva, Walter (11 November 2024). "Pope Francis Appoints New Preacher to the Papal Household to Succeed Cardinal Cantalamessa". NCR. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
  8. ^ "Pope appoints new Preacher of Papal Household". ICN. 9 November 2024. Retrieved 14 March 2026.