On October 5, 2019, when Matteo Zuppi, Archbishop of Bologna, received his cardinal’s red hat, he concluded the day with a Mass held in the square of the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere. This neighborhood in central Rome holds deep significance for him, as it was where he first found his calling as a teenager and later served as a priest.
During his homily that evening, Cardinal Zuppi, now 69, reflected, “Life, or rather our lives, are made up of many pieces that shape who we are. Today, I see—and I believe we all recognize—the joy of being united as part of a shared existence, the very opposite of individualism.”
Many attendees at the Mass remembered Zuppi from his early involvement as a teenage volunteer with the Community of Sant’Egidio, a Catholic organization renowned for its work with impoverished populations, interfaith dialogue, and international conflict mediation.
Following his ordination, he served as a vicar at the basilica and for years acted as a spiritual leader within the Community of Sant’Egidio, which regularly holds prayers at Santa Maria in Trastevere.
Cardinal Zuppi is often mentioned as a potential candidate for the papacy. Throughout his ministry as priest and bishop, he has embraced a pastoral approach aligned closely with Pope Francis’ vision, which he would likely continue to uphold if elected.
In Rome, he is affectionately known as “Don Matteo,” a nickname inspired by a popular Italian television series featuring a crime-solving priest.
