Ordained a priest in 1957 in Milan by its then Archbishop, the future Pope Paul VI, he held various pastoral and teaching assignments until he was named Archbishop of Ancona in 1989 and was consecrated a bishop. Only two years later he resigned from this archdiocese on being chosen as secretary-general of the Italian Episcopal Conference. In 1995 he became Archbishop of Genoa and the Conference's Vice President,and he was elevated to Cardinal in the consistory of 1998.
The book Passing the Keys:Modern Cardinals,Conclaves,and the Election of the Next Pope (ISBN 1568331304) by Francis A. Burkle-Young identified Tettamanzi as one of a handful of Papabile cardinals, possible successors to Pope John Paul II. Subsequent developments to the book's 1999 publication including the death of one of the other candidates and the retirement of others led Young to regard Tettamanzi as the likeliest choice. Others have also speculated on his papal chances, though this did not prevent new Cardinal Keith O'Brien of Scotland from jokingly referring to Tettamanzi in 2003 as a "wee fat guy", being amused by the prospect of Tettamanzi as Pope.
DionigiTettamanzi was appointed Archbishop of Milan in 2002, taking a prominent post which marked him as a leading candidate to succeed Pope John Paul II in 2005.
Tettamanzi began studying at seminary while still a boy, and was ordained a priest in the Catholic Church in 1957.
During the slow decline in health of John Paul II early in the 21st century, Tettamanzi was often mentioned as a possible papal successor, along with fellow Cardinals Francis Arinze and Angelo Scola.
Dionigi Cardinal Tettamanzi (born March 14, 1934) is an Italian prelate of the Roman Catholic Church.
Tettamanzi was born in Renate, in the province of Milan.
Tettamanzi's position as prelate of an archdiocese that was seen historically as a step towards the papacy (considered one of the wealthiest and most powerful of the dioceses of Italy), as well as his charisma and popularity among the people, placed Tettamanzi as one of the overall favorites to become John Paul II's successor.
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