Diego Giovanni Ravelli | |
|---|---|
| Titular Archbishop of Recanati Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations | |
.jpg) Ravelli in 2022 | |
| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| Appointed | 11 October 2021 |
| Predecessor | Guido Marini |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 15 June 1991 by Alessandro Maggiolini |
| Consecration | 3 June 2023 by Pietro Parolin,Guido Marini andKonrad Krajewski |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Diego Giovanni Ravelli (1965-11-01)1 November 1965 (age 60) Lazzate, Italy |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Alma mater | |
| Motto | Evangelii Gaudium (The joy of the gospel) |
| Coat of arms |  |
| Styles of Diego Giovanni Ravelli | |
|---|---|
| |
| Reference style | The Most Reverend |
| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
| Religious style | Archbishop |
Diego Giovanni Ravelli (born 1 November 1965) is an Italian prelate of theCatholic Church who has worked for thepapal household since 1998 and has served asMaster of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations and head of thePontifical Sistine Chapel Choir since October 2021. He was appointed a titular archbishop in 2023.
Diego Giovanni Ravelli was born on 1 November 1965 inLazzate,Italy. He was ordained a priest for the Public Clerical Association Priests of Jesus Crucified in 1991 and then incardinated in thediocese of Velletri-Segni.[1]
In 2000 he obtained a diploma in pedagogical methodology from the Faculty of Educational Sciences at theSalesian Pontifical University in Rome. He earned a doctorate in sacred liturgy at the Liturgical Institute of thePontifical Athenaeum of Saint Anselm in 2010.[1]
He joined the Office of Papal Charities in 1998 and was named head of that office on 12 October 2003[2][3] and served in that post until October 2021.[1] He directed the new annual lottery that raised funds for papal charities by raffling off gifts received by the pope.[4] He was also chaplain at a spiritual center and assisted at a local parish in Rome.[5]
He worked at the same time for the Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff, where he was an Assistant Master of Ceremonies.Pope Benedict XVI appointed him a Papal Master of Ceremonies on 25 February 2006,[6] renewing that appointment in 2011.[2] On 11 October 2021,Pope Francis named him Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations and head of the Pontifical Sistine Chapel Choir.[1]
In 2012 he published his academic research, a historical study of the celebration of thefeast of the Chair of Saint Peter in the Vatican basilica.[5]
In December 2017, his home town of Lazzate awarded him its highest honor, the Pila d'Oro.[5]
Following thefuneral of Benedict XVI in 2023, Francis requested that Ravelli simplify theOrdo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, theliturgical book for papal funerals. This second edition of the text was approved by Francis in April 2024, with Ravelli announcing its publication in November that year.[7] Following thedeath of Pope Francis on 21 April 2025, these changes were put into effect, which he oversaw, such as the Pope's body being placed inside an open coffin for public viewing, the elimination of the triple coffin, and the rite of the ascertainment of the Pope's death taking place at the chapel ofDomus Sanctae Marthae on 21 April 2025.[8]
On 21 April 2023, Pope Francis named him titular bishop ofRecanati with the personal title of archbishop.[9] His episcopal consecration by CardinalPietro Parolin with co-consecrators BishopGuido Marini and CardinalKonrad Krajewski was held on 3 June 2023 inSaint Peter's Basilica.[10]
As Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, he assisted in the2025 papal conclave that electedPope Leo XIV. He was the cleric to give the emblematic commandExtra Omnes before he closed the doors of theSistine Chapel, the moment that marked the commencement of the conclave proper.[11] In accordance with the Apostolic ConstitutionUniversi Dominici Gregis, Ravelli served as notary upon the acceptance of the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, assuming the name ofPope Leo XIV. He drafted the document certifying the acceptance of the election with thepapal name indicated. This document was shared for the first time on the officialsocial media pages of theOffice for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff andVatican News.[12]
| Catholic Church titles | ||
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| Preceded by | Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations 2021 – present | Incumbent |
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