Italian Bishops Conference Official Visits CCBI General Secretariat, Delhi

New Delhi, 16 January 2026: Fr. Claudio Francesconi, General Secretary for Economic Affairs of the Italian Bishops Conference, paid a courtesy visit to the CCBI General Secretariat in New Delhi on 16 January 2026.

He was warmly received by Bishop Johannes Gorantala, OCD, Bishop of Kurnool and Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara, Deputy Secretary General of the CCBI. The visit reflected the spirit of friendship and cooperation between the Church in Italy and the Church in India.

During his visit, Fr. Francesconi held a cordial meeting with the officials of the CCBI at the General Secretariat. The interaction focused on mutual understanding, ecclesial collaboration and the sharing of experiences in church administration and service. Fr. Adv. Jaison Vadassery, Secretary to the Commission for Migrants, and Sr. Adv. Rani Punnasseril, CCBI Official, also took part in the meeting.

Fr. Claudio Francesconi is an Italian priest and currently serves as the Treasurer of the Italian Episcopal Conference. He was appointed to this responsibility in July 2021 and formally assumed office on 1 October 2021. He belongs to the Archdiocese of Lucca in Tuscany. Born in 1970, he was ordained a priest in 1995. Before his present role, he served as the Financial Administrator of the Archdiocese of Lucca.

The visit strengthened bonds between the two episcopal conferences and highlighted the shared commitment of the Church to responsible stewardship and pastoral service.

Catholic Connect Reporter