Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap, was born in Italy and ordained a Franciscan Capuchin priest in 1958. He taught at the Catholic University of Milan until 1979, when he resigned his teaching position to become a full-time preacher of the gospel. In 1980, he was appointed by Pope John Paul II as preacher to the papal household and still serves in that capacity. He is a frequent speaker at international and ecumenical conferences and rallies, and his books have been translated into more than twenty languages.