Guido Marini

1.1. Birth and Education

Guido Marini was born in Genoa, Italy, on 31 January 1965. He attended the Liceo Colombo for his early schooling. His higher education began at the seminary in Genoa, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in theology. He furthered his academic pursuits by obtaining a degree in both canon law and civil law (J.U.D.) from the Pontifical Lateran University. His dissertation for this degree focused on issues concerning church-state relations in the early 20th century. In 2007, Marini also earned a degree in the psychology of communication from the Salesian Pontifical University. From 1992, he taught canon law at the Genoa branch of the Northern Italian Theological Faculty and the Higher Institute of Religious Sciences.

1.2. Pastoral Activities in Genoa Archdiocese

Marini was ordained a priest on 4 February 1989 by Cardinal Giovanni Canestri. Following his ordination, he held several significant positions within the Archdiocese of Genoa. From 1988 to 2003, he served as personal secretary to three successive Archbishops of Genoa: Giovanni Canestri (1988-1995), Dionigi Tettamanzi (1995-2002), and Tarcisio Bertone (2002-2003).

His roles also included serving as a member of the archdiocesan Council of Priests from 1996 to 2001. In 2003, he was appointed the Master of Liturgical Celebrations for the Archdiocese of Genoa, a position he held until 2007. From 2004 to 2007, he served as the spiritual director of the seminary in Genoa. Additionally, Marini was the Chancellor of the Archdiocese from 2005 to 2007 and was the Director of the Diocesan Education Office from 2003 to 2005. Throughout his priestly service in Genoa and later in Rome, he engaged in preaching and spiritual direction, at times working with youth groups and religious communities.

2.1. Appointment and Key Duties

Guido Marini was named Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations on 1 October 2007, an appointment made by Pope Benedict XVI. He was subsequently reappointed for another five-year term by Benedict XVI and was confirmed in this office by Pope Francis in April 2014, and again for a further five-year term in 2017. In addition to his role as Master of Ceremonies, Pope Francis also appointed him as a member of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches on 19 February 2014. Marini served as the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations until 29 August 2021.

2.2. Liturgical Reforms and Ceremonial Changes

Following his appointment as Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, Marini implemented various changes and supported particular directions in papal liturgies. One notable change was the rearrangement of the Papal Altar, where the seven candles and a crucifix were placed in a line across the altar, rather than being clustered on the sides. This arrangement became known as the "Benedictine arrangement." Marini described the style he was implementing as "more sober and more attentive to the essential things" compared to the liturgies celebrated under his predecessor.

In a speech in January 2010, Marini openly supported calls within the Church for a "reform of the reform" of the liturgy. He articulated the need for a "new liturgical renewal" that would be "capable of operating a reform of the reform, or rather, move one more step ahead in understanding the authentic spirit of the liturgy and its celebration." He also touched on themes such as the proper orientation in liturgy, the preeminence of Gregorian chant and Renaissance musical compositions as a "permanent criterion" for church music, liturgical forms, church art and architecture, and the practice of receiving Holy Communion on the tongue while kneeling. He emphasized the meaning of continuity, silence, and many other aspects within the liturgy.

Marini helped organize a liturgical ceremony on 13 January 2008, which was the first public Mass celebrated *ad orientem* (facing East) by a pope in 30 years. He also celebrated Mass *ad orientem* at the altar of Mary Salus Populi Romani in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major on 16 May 2010. Furthermore, Marini made decisions regarding the use of vestments at Mass and other pontifical celebrations, including dressing cardinal deacons in dalmatics when serving at such events.

In 2015, Pope Francis modified the public ceremony of investiture of the pallium on metropolitan archbishops. Marini announced that, beginning on 29 June 2015, the ceremony of investiture of the pallium would take place in each metropolitan archbishop's home diocese instead of in the Vatican. This change underscored that the investiture is an ecclesial event involving the entire diocese, rather than merely a juridical or ceremonial event.

2.3. 2013 Papal Conclave

Guido Marini served as Master of Ceremonies during the 2013 papal conclave that ultimately elected Pope Francis. On 11 March 2013, the day before the conclave officially began, Marini led the non-cardinal officials, support staff, and other non-elector personnel with duties in the conclave in taking an oath of secrecy. This ceremony was presided over by Camerlengo Tarcisio Bertone. The following day, after the cardinal-electors had taken their own oath in the Sistine Chapel, Marini pronounced the traditional command "Extra omnes" (Everyone out) and then closed the chapel doors once all non-electors had departed.

2.4. Oversight of the Sistine Chapel Choir

In 2019, Pope Francis transferred the oversight of the Sistine Chapel Choir to Marini's office. Prior to this change, the choir had operated independently within the papal household. This move integrated the renowned choir more directly under the authority of the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations.

3.1. Appointment and Episcopal Ordination

On 29 August 2021, Pope Francis appointed Guido Marini as the Bishop of Tortona, succeeding Vittorio Francesco Viola, OFM. Marini's episcopal consecration took place on 17 October 2021, in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. Pope Francis served as the principal consecrator for the ordination. Notably, Andrés Gabriel Ferrada Moreira was also consecrated as a bishop alongside Marini during the same ceremony.

3.2. Activities as Diocesan Bishop

Marini's installation as Bishop of Tortona occurred on 7 November 2021, at the Cathedral Church in Tortona. Since his installation, he has taken on the pastoral leadership of the diocese, guiding its spiritual and administrative activities.