Giampaolo Crepaldi

Giampaolo Crepaldi (born 29 September 1947) is a retired archbishop of the Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Trieste from 4 October 2009 until 23 April 2023. He previously served as secretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.

Early life
Crepaldi was born in Pettorazza Grimani, Rovigo. He was ordained on 17 July 1971 in the parish of Villadose. He conducted his pastoral ministry as a curate in the parish of Villanova del Ghebbo and Castelmassa.

Professor
In 1975 he obtained his degree in philosophy from the Faculty of Letters and Philosophy at the State University of Bologna and in 1977 the Diploma of Specialization in Philosophy at the University of Padua. In 1981 he obtained a doctorate in theology at the Pontifical Urban University and, in 1989, a Licentiate in Canon Law at the Pontifical Lateran University. He was a Professor of Pastoral Company at Pontifical Lateran University.

Pastoral work
In 1977 he received the post of Episcopal Delegate for the Pastoral Care and Social Director of the Diocesan Center for Vocational Training and in 1985 he was appointed parish priest of Cambio. In 1986, he perform ministry at the Conference of Catholic Bishops as a Director of the Episcopal Social Problems and Work.

Curial duties
In 1994 he entered the service of the Holy See where he held the post of Under-Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. On 3 March 2001, he was appointed Secretary and Titular Bishop of Bisarcio. He became a Member of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People.

Teacher
In 2003, he founded the International Center "Cardinal Van Thuan" on the Social Doctrine of the Church, of which he is President. He published books, mainly on themes of Church social doctrine. In 2003 he founded the International Center "Cardinal Van Thuan" on the Social Doctrine of the Church, of which he is President.

Bishop
He was consecrated bishop by John Paul II on 19 March 2001. Bishop Crepaldi was appointed Bishop of Trieste with the title of Archbishop by Pope Benedict XVI on 4 July 2009. He was installed in Trieste on 4 October 2009.

He resigned from his position after reaching 75, as canon law prescribes. Pope Francis accepted his resignation and appointed him to be apostolic administrator of the Diocese, until a new bishop was appointed. He left that position on 23 April 2023, when Enrico Trevisi became the new Bishop of Trieste.

Views
Archbishop Giampaolo Crepaldi stated that African farmers be allowed to use new biotechnology, including genetically modified organisms, to help lift their continent out of poverty.