Pope Leo XIV on Friday appointed Father Andrea Cucchi chancellor of the Pontifical Academy for Life. The Italian priest has served as Secretariat Coordinator of the Academy since 2016.
Originally from Milan, Ciucchi, 59, holds a doctorate in philosophy of religion from the Pontifical University of Sant’Anselmo in Rome. After serving as a parish priest in Milan, he served at the Pre-Pontifical Council for the Family from 2012-2016.
He is also the Secretary General of the RenAIssance Foundation, a Vatican organization that promotes an ethical perspective on artificial intelligence.
Ciucchi is professor at the Pontifical Theological Institute John Paul II in Rome and is a public speaker and author on the subject of new technologies and their impact on young people and families.
Last month, Renzo Pegoraro, president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, received the title of “bishop” from Pope Leo for his role.
Pegoraro was Chancellor of the Academy from 2011 until his appointment as President in May 2025.
According to the Academy’s statute, the Chancellor “may represent the Pontifical Academy for life on behalf of the President and cooperate with him in the direction and administration of the Academy’s activities.”
The Pontifical Academy for Life was founded by St. John Paul II in February 1994. It is one of several academic and cultural institutes of the Vatican that bring together experts in their fields to discuss issues relevant to the Church and the world.
