Pope Francis has appointed Dominican Fr. Lorenzo Piretto as archbishop of Izmir, Turkey.
Lorenzo Piretto was born in Mazze, Italy in 1942, gave his religious vows in 1963, and was ordained a priest in 1966.
He holds a licentiate in theology from the University of Bologna and a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Turin. He has occupied a number of academic roles at the F.I.S.T. of Turin and the University of Marmara in Istanbul. He has also served within his order as superior of the Convent of Istanbul, and as provincial vicar of Turkey, as in a number of pastoral roles including parish priest and vicar general. He is currently superior of the Convent of Izmir.
The bishop-elect succeeds Archbishop Ruggero Franceschini, O.F.M. Cap., whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same archdiocese upon reaching the age limit was accepted by the Holy Father.
The Archdiocese of Izmir has about 15,000 Catholics, who are served by 17 priests and 19 religious.
