Giovanni Canestri is an Italian Catholic clergyman, currently Archbishop Emeritus

Emeritus

Emeritus is a post-positive adjective that is used to designate a retired professor, bishop, or other professional or as a title. The female equivalent emerita is also sometimes used.-History:...

 of Genoa

Genoa

Genoa |Ligurian]] Zena ; Latin and, archaically, English Genua) is a city and an important seaport in northern Italy, the capital of the Province of Genoa and of the region of Liguria....

.

Born in Castelspina

Castelspina

Castelspina is a comune in the Province of Alessandria in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 70 km southeast of Turin and about 14 km southwest of Alessandria....

, province of Alessandria

Province of Alessandria

The Province of Alessandria is an Italian province, with a population of some 430,000, which forms the southeastern part of the region of Piedmont. The provincial capital is the city of Alessandria....

, he was ordained priest on April 12, 1941 and began his pastoral ministry in Rome. In August 1959 he was nominated spiritual director of the Pontifical Major 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 July 8, 1961 he was named Titular bishop of Tenedo, and auxiliary of the Cardinal vicar of Rome. Participated in the general congregations of Vatican II on the themes of ecumenism

Ecumenism

Ecumenism or oecumenism mainly refers to initiatives aimed at greater Christian unity or cooperation. It is used predominantly by and with reference to Christian denominations and Christian Churches separated by doctrine, history, and practice...

 and religious liberty.

On January 7, 1971 he was transferred to the see of Tortona. On February 8, 1975 he was transferred to titular see of Monterano, with personal title of archbishop

Archbishop

An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...

, and appointed vicegerent

Vicegerent

Vicegerent is the official administrative deputy of a ruler or head of state: vice + gerere .-Related usage:*The Byzantine Emperors held as a title "God's Vicegerent on Earth"....

 of the Diocese of Rome

Diocese of Rome

The Diocese of Rome is a diocese of the Catholic Church in Rome, Italy. The bishop of Rome is the Pope, who is the Supreme Pontiff and leader of the Catholic Church...

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

Canestri was created and proclaimed Cardinal-Priest by Pope John Paul II

Pope John Paul II

Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...

in the consistory of June 28, 1988, with as titular church, S. Andrea della Valle.

He was made archbishop emeritus of Genoa on April 20, 1995.