Roberto Pasolini

The Reverend
Fra' Roberto Pasolini
OFM Cap
Pasolini in 2024
Preacher of the Papal Household
Incumbent
Assumed office
9 November 2024
Preceded byRaniero Cantalamessa
Personal life
Born (1971-11-05) 5 November 1971 (age 54)
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 who has served as the preacher of the Papal Household since 2024 and a member of the Dicastery for Communication since 2026.

Prior to entering religious life, Pasolini studied information science and artificial intelligence. After experiencing a return to the Catholic faith in his early twenties, he joined the Capuchin Franciscans in 1997 and was ordained a priest in 2006. He earned a doctorate in biblical theology and has taught on scripture, biblical exegesis, and biblical languages at several theological institutions in Italy. In 2024, Pope Francis appointed Pasolini to succeed Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa as the preacher of the Papal Household.

Biography

Pasolini was born on 5 November 1971 in Milan, Italy. At age 15 or 16, he distanced himself from his local Catholic church but did not become an atheist. He studied information science at the University of Milan, graduating in 1996; he wrote his thesis on artificial intelligence. At age 22, he returned to his faith after reading a copy of the Gospel of Matthew that was included as a free supplement with a newspaper he found while traveling on the subway.

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

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 the Theological University of Northern Italy (from 2020).

On 9 November 2024, Pope Francis appointed him as Preacher of the Papal Household, succeeding Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa. The position has been held by a member of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin since 1743. Pasolini has also been a member of the Dicastery for Communication since 9 April 2026.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Fr. Roberto Pasolini". Vatican News. 3 March 2025. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 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.
  3. 1 2 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.
  4. 1 2 "Father Roberto Pasolini, O.F.M. Cap". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney.
  5. 1 2 "Resignations and Appointments". press.vatican.va. 9 November 2024. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
  6. ↑ "Pope appoints Fr. Pasolini as new Preacher of Papal Household". 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.
  9. ↑ Holy See Press Office (9 April 2026). "Resignations and Appointments, 09.04.2026". Bulletin of the Holy See Press Office. Archived from the original on 10 April 2026. Retrieved 11 April 2026.