"He lived his long and fruitful priesthood and episcopate with humility and fidelity in the service of the Gospel and of the souls entrusted to him. I remember with gratitude his fervent ministry first as assistant parish priest, in the hard years of the war, in the Roman suburbs marked by suffering and poverty ; then as parish priest in two populous villages, I intend to educate young people especially to the joy of faith. Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Rome, he devoted himself with apostolic intensity to the spiritual and material needs of the people, while assiduously participating in the work of the Second Vatican Council. In the ministry bishop in Tortona, later as Vicegerent and then Archbishop of Cagliari and finally of Genoa-Bobbio, he testified to pastoral wisdom, generous attention to the needs of others, meeting everyone with kindness and meekness"

John Canestri

Benedict XVI to Catholic Action - Rome, 4 May 2008