Giovanni Canestri

Styles of Giovanni Canestri
Reference style	His Eminence
Spoken style	Your Eminence
Informal style	Cardinal
See	Genoa (emeritus)

Giovanni Canestri (born 30 September 1918) is an Italian Catholic clergyman, currently Archbishop Emeritus of Genoa. At age 96, he is one of the oldest Catholic bishops and cardinals in the world.

Life

Born in Castelspina, province of Alessandria, he was ordained priest on 12 April 1941 and began his pastoral ministry in Rome. In August 1959 he was nominated spiritual director of the Pontifical Roman Seminary and was member of the commission for the first diocesan synod of Rome. He also served as Apostolic examiner of the clergy.

On 8 July 1961 he was named Titular Bishop of Tenedo, and auxiliary of the Cardinal vicar of Rome. He participated in the general congregations of Vatican II on the themes of ecumenism and religious liberty.

On 7 January 1971 he was transferred to the see of Tortona. On 8 February 1975 he was transferred to titular see of Monterano, with personal title of archbishop, and appointed vicegerent of the Diocese of Rome. During this time he was very dedicated to the growth and development of the community, defending the values of the human person, especially the value of life.

On 22 March 1984 he was nominated Archbishop of Cagliari. On 6 July 1987 he was transferred to the metropolitan see of Genoa.

Canestri was created and proclaimed Cardinal-Priest by Pope John Paul II in the consistory of 28 June 1988, with as titular church of Sant'Andrea della Valle.

He became Archbishop Emeritus of Genoa on 20 April 1995.

See also

• List of oldest Catholic bishops

References

• (Basic information was taken from the Vatican website.)
• Catholic-pages bio