Reverend Father Enzo Fortunato

Father Enzo Fortunato was born on November 24, 1966, in Northampton, UK. He holds a Bachelor’s and a Doctorate in Spiritual Theology from the Pontifical Theological Faculty of San Bonaventura (1996) and a degree in Psychology from the Pontifical Salesian University (1999). He is a licensed journalist (2005).

In September 1986, he began his journey with the Order of Conventual Franciscan Friars of the Custody of the Sacred Convent of Assisi. After his year of novitiate, he made his temporary profession on August 30, 1989, and his definitive profession on September 26, 1992. He was ordained a priest on July 2, 1994, at the Cathedral of Scala (Salerno).

Father Fortunato coordinated the first World Children’s Day held on May 25–26, 2024. On November 20 of the same year, he was appointed by Pope Francis as President of the Pontifical Committee for World Children’s Day, which, by subsequent papal decree, has been incorporated into the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, chaired by His Eminence Cardinal Kevin Farrell.

He serves as the Editorial Director of Piazza San Pietro, the official information organ of the Papal Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican. He is the author of L’enciclica dei Bambini (2023), with a preface by Pope Francis, and Vivere il Giubileo (2024).