Anthony Poola D. D. | |
|---|---|
| Cardinal,Metropolitan Archbishop of Hyderabad | |
 | |
| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| Archdiocese | Archdiocese of Hyderabad |
| See | Hyderabad |
| Appointed | 19 November 2020 |
| Installed | 3 January 2021 |
| Predecessor | Thumma Bala |
| Previous post |
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| Orders | |
| Ordination | 20 February 1992 |
| Consecration | 19 April 2008 by Marampudi Joji |
| Created cardinal | 27 August 2022 byPope Francis |
| Rank | Cardinal Priest |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Anthony Poola (1961-11-15)15 November 1961 (age 64) |
| Denomination | Christianity |
| Residence | India |
| Parents | Smt. Arogyamma (Mother) Sri P. C. Anthony (Father) |
| Education |
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| Alma mater |
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| Motto | Good news to the poor |
| Coat of arms | .svg) |
| Styles of Anthony Poola | |
|---|---|
| |
| Reference style | His Eminence |
| Spoken style | Your Eminence |
| Religious style | Cardinal |
| Informal style | Cardinal |
| See | Hyderabad |
Anthony Poola (born 15 November 1961) is an Indian prelate of theCatholic Church who has beenMetropolitan Archbishop of Hyderabad since 2021. He wasBishop of Kurnool from 2008 to 2020. Before becoming a bishop, he worked as a priest of theDiocese of Cuddapah.
On 27 August 2022,Pope Francis elevated Poola toCardinal at a consistory held in Vatican. He is the firstDalit and the firstTelugu to be named a cardinal.[1]
Anthony Poola was born on 15 November 1961 inChindukur, Durvesi Parish, in the Diocese of Kurnool. When poverty forced to leave school after the seventh grade, missionaries took an interest in him and helped him continue his schooling.[2] After attending the Minor Seminary inNuzvid, he studied at St. Peter's Pontifical Seminary inBangalore. He was ordained a priest on 20 February 1992 and incardinated in theDiocese of Cuddapah.[3]
He held the following positions: 1992-1993: parish vicar of St. Mary's Cathedral from 1992 to 1993; parish vicar inAmagampalli from 1993 to 1994; pastor inTekurpet from 1994 to 1995; pastor inBadvel from 1995 to 2000; pastor inVeerapalli from 2000 to 2001. He studied for a master's degree in health pastoral care and took courses in theology atLoyola University Chicago. He also worked at St. Genevieve Church in theArchdiocese of Chicago.[3]
Returning to his home diocese of Cuddapah, he was director of the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging from 2004 to 2008. He was also Diocesan Consultor, Secretary for Education, Deputy Administrator of the Schools of the Diocese and Coordinator of the Sponsorship Program.[3]
On 8 February 2008,Pope Benedict XVI appointed himBishop of Kurnool.[3]
On 19 November 2020,Pope Francis appointed him Metropolitan Archbishop of Hyderabad.[4] He was installed there on 3 January 2021.[5]
On 27 August 2022, Pope Francis made him acardinal priest, assigning him the title ofSanti Protomartiri a Via Aurelia Antica.[6] He participated as acardinal elector in the2025 papal conclave that electedPope Leo XIV.[7]
