# Anthony Poola

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Anthony_Poola
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Anthony_Poola.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Poola
> Source revision: 1357308643
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Indian Latin Catholic bishop (born 1961)

His Eminence Anthony Poola Cardinal, Metropolitan Archbishop of Hyderabad Church Roman Catholic Church Archdiocese Archdiocese of Hyderabad See Hyderabad Appointed 19 November 2020 Installed 3 January 2021 Predecessor Thumma Bala Other post President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (2026-) Previous post Bishop of Kurnool (2008–2020) Orders Ordination 20 February 1992 Consecration 19 April 2008 by Marampudi Joji Created cardinal 27 August 2022 by Pope Francis Rank Cardinal Priest Personal details Born (1961-11-15) 15 November 1961 (age 64) Poluru, Prakasam, Andhra Pradesh Denomination Christianity Residence India Parents Smt. Arogyamma (Mother) Sri P. C. Anthony (Father) Education Minor Seminary, Kurnool STBC College, Kurnool St. Paul's Seminary, Nuziveedu St. Peter's Pontifical Seminary Pontifical Urban University Sri Krishnadevaraya University Bronson Methodist Hospital, certificate in Clinical pastoral education Loyola University Chicago, certificate in religion and theological engagement Motto Good news to the poor Coat of arms

Styles of Anthony Poola Reference style His Eminence Spoken style Your Eminence Religious style Cardinal Informal style Cardinal See Hyderabad

**Anthony Poola** (born 15 November 1961) is an Indian prelate of the [Catholic Church](/source/Catholic_Church) who has been [Metropolitan Archbishop of Hyderabad](/source/Roman_Catholic_Archdiocese_of_Hyderabad) since 2021. He was [Bishop of Kurnool](/source/Roman_Catholic_Diocese_of_Kurnool) from 2008 to 2020. Before becoming a bishop, he worked as a priest of the [Diocese of Cuddapah](/source/Roman_Catholic_Diocese_of_Cuddapah). He became president of the [Catholic Bishops' Conference of India](/source/Catholic_Bishops'_Conference_of_India) (CBCI) in 2026.

On 27 August 2022, [Pope Francis](/source/Pope_Francis) made Poola a [Cardinal](/source/Cardinal_(Catholic_Church)), the first [Dalit](/source/Dalit) and the first [Telugu](/source/Telugu_people) to hold that rank.[1]

## Biography

Anthony Poola was born on 15 November 1961 in [Chindukur, Durvesi Parish](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chindukur,_Durvesi_Parish&action=edit&redlink=1), in the Diocese of Kurnool. When poverty forced him to leave school after the seventh grade, missionaries took an interest in him and helped him continue his schooling.[2] After attending the Minor Seminary in [Nuzvid](/source/Nuzvid), he studied at St. Peter's Pontifical Seminary in [Bangalore](/source/Bangalore). He was ordained a priest on 20 February 1992 and incardinated in the [Diocese of Cuddapah](/source/Roman_Catholic_Diocese_of_Cuddapah).[3]

He held the following positions: 1992-1993: parish vicar of St. Mary's Cathedral from 1992 to 1993; parish vicar in [Amagampalli](/source/Amagampalli) from 1993 to 1994; pastor in [Tekurpet](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tekurpet&action=edit&redlink=1) from 1994 to 1995; pastor in [Badvel](/source/Badvel) from 1995 to 2000; pastor in [Veerapalli](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Veerapalli&action=edit&redlink=1) from 2000 to 2001. He studied for a master's degree in health pastoral care and took courses in theology at [Loyola University Chicago](/source/Loyola_University_Chicago). He also worked at St. Genevieve Church in the [Archdiocese of Chicago](/source/Roman_Catholic_Archdiocese_of_Chicago).[3]

Returning to his home diocese of Cuddapah, he was director of the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging from 2004 to 2008. He was also Diocesan Consultor, Secretary for Education, Deputy Administrator of the Schools of the Diocese and Coordinator of the Sponsorship Program.[3]

On 8 February 2008, [Pope Benedict XVI](/source/Pope_Benedict_XVI) appointed him [Bishop of Kurnool](/source/Roman_Catholic_Diocese_of_Kurnool).[3]

On 19 November 2020, [Pope Francis](/source/Pope_Francis) appointed him Metropolitan Archbishop of Hyderabad.[4] He was installed there on 3 January 2021.[5]

On 27 August 2022, Pope Francis made him a [cardinal priest](/source/Cardinal_priest), assigning him the title of [Santi Protomartiri a Via Aurelia Antica](/source/Santi_Protomartiri_a_Via_Aurelia_Antica).[6] He participated as a [cardinal elector](/source/Cardinal_electors_in_the_2025_papal_conclave) in the [2025 papal conclave](/source/2025_papal_conclave) that elected [Pope Leo XIV](/source/Pope_Leo_XIV).[7]

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India elected him to a two-year term as president on 7 February 2026.[8]

## See also

- [Cardinals created by Pope Francis](/source/Cardinals_created_by_Pope_Francis)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Hyderabad Archbishop Anthony Poola to be first Dalit cardinal"](https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/hyderabad-archbishop-anthony-poola-be-first-dalit-cardinal-164485?amp). *The News Minute*. 30 May 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["First Dalit Cardinal: My mission, help as many poor children as possible"](https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2022-06/dalit-india-consistory-cardinal-anthony-poola-interview.html) (Interview). Vatican News. 8 June 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-vatbio_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-vatbio_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-vatbio_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-vatbio_3-3) ["Rinunce e Nomine, 08.02.2008"](https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2008/02/08/0082/00202.html) (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 8 February 2008. Retrieved 31 May 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Rinunce e Nomine, 19.11.2020"](https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2020/11/19/0597/01401.html) (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 19 November 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Rev. Anthony Poola installed as Archbishop of Hyderabad"](https://telanganatoday.com/rev-anthony-poola-installed-as-archbishop-of-hyderabad/amp). *Telagana Today*. 3 January 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Assegnazione dei Titoli e delle Diaconie ai nuovi Cardinali"](https://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/2022/documents/ns_lit_doc_20220827_titoli-diaconie-nuovi-cardinali_it.html) [Assignment of Titles and Deaconries to the new Cardinals]. *[The Holy See](/source/Holy_See)* (in Italian). [Ufficio delle Celebrazioni Liturgiche del Sommo Pontefice](/source/Office_for_the_Liturgical_Celebrations_of_the_Supreme_Pontiff). 27 August 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Cardinal Electors"](https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/scardc3.html). Catholic-Hierarchy.org. 6 May 2025. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250506193115/https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/scardc3.html) from the original on 6 May 2025. Retrieved 6 May 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Carvalho, Nirmala (9 February 2026). ["In milestone election, Indian bishops choose Dalit cardinal to head conference"](https://cruxnow.com/church-in-asia/2026/02/in-milestone-election-indian-bishops-choose-dalit-cardinal-to-head-conference). *Crux*. Retrieved 16 February 2026.

**Additional sources**

- Alathara, Stephen (29 May 2022). ["Abp. Anthony Poola Will Be Elevated As Cardinal"](https://ccbi.in/abp-anthony-poola-will-be-elevated-as-cardinal/). *CCBI* (Press release).

## External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to ***[Anthony Poola](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Special:Search/Anthony_Poola)***.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Anthony Poola](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Anthony_Poola).

- ["Poola Card. Anthony"](https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_poola_a.html). *[Holy See Press Office](/source/Holy_See_Press_Office)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220828005138/https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_poola_a.html) from the original on 28 August 2022.

- ["Archbishop Anthony Poola"](https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bpoola.html). *Catholic Hierarchy*.

v t e College of Cardinals List of current cardinals Cardinals of the Catholic Church under Pope Leo XIV in order of precedence Cardinal bishops Re Sandri Arinze Bertone Martins Parolin Ouellet Filoni Stella Tagle Raï Sako Cardinal priests Kitbunchu Poupard Wetter López Rodríguez Mahony Darmaatmadja Wamala Maida Puljić Sandoval Stafford De Giorgi Rouco Schönborn Rivera Pujats Sepe Kasper Bačkis Errázuriz Napier Rodríguez Cipriani Herranz Scola Okogie Zubeir Wako Rigali Antonelli Turkson Bozanić Barbarin Erdő Rodé Vallini Rosales Ricard Cañizares O'Malley Dziwisz Zen Lajolo Comastri Ryłko Farina Brady Martínez Sistach Bagnasco Sarr Gracias Robles DiNardo Scherer Njue Sarah Monterisi Burke Koch Piacenza Ravasi Romeo Wuerl Assis Nycz Ranjith Marx Brandmüller de Castro Abril Vegliò Bertello Coccopalmerio Aviz O'Brien Calcagno Versaldi Alencherry Collins Eijk Betori Dolan Woelki Tong Harvey Thottunkal Onaiyekan Salazar Baldisseri Müller Nichols Brenes Lacroix Kutwa Tempesta Bassetti Poli Yeom Ezzati Ouédraogo Quevedo Langlois Clemente Souraphiel Dew Nguyễn Suárez Bo Kovithavanij Montenegro Sturla Blázquez Lacunza Gomes Furtado Mafi Villalba Langa Nzapalainga Osoro Rocha Cupich D'Rozario Porras De Kesel Piat Aguiar Retes Ribat Tobin Zerbo Omella Arborelius Mangkhanekhoun Rosa De Donatis Coutts Marto Barreto Tsarahazana Petrocchi Maeda Ticona Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo García Ambongo Besungu Hollerich Ramazzini Zuppi López Romero Tamkevičius Kambanda Gregory Advincula Aós Lojudice Arizmendi Aveline Okpaleke Steiner Ferrão McElroy do Carmo da Silva Cantoni Poola Costa Goh Martínez Flores Marengo Jiménez Miglio Pizzaballa Brislin Rossi Rueda Ryś Mulla Cobo Rugambwa Francis Chow Bustillo Alves Aguiar Padrón Castillo Bokalic Cabrera Chomalí Kikuchi David Nemet Spengler Bessi Dogbo Vesco Mathieu Repole Reina Leo Bychok Battaglia Cardinal deacons Mamberti Zenari Farrell Simoni Ladaria Becciu Krajewski Bocos Mendonça Czerny Fitzgerald Grech Semeraro Gambetti Tomasi Cantalamessa Feroci Roche You Vérgez Ghirlanda Frezza Gugerotti Fernández Pierre Fernández Artime Marchetto Acerbi Makrickas Radcliffe Baggio Koovakad Cardinals ineligible to participate in a papal conclave in italics See also: Titular Titular church List of titular churches List of creations of cardinals Category Media Catholic Church portal

v t e Cardinals created by Francis 2014 Parolin Baldisseri Müller Stella Nichols Brenes Lacroix Kutwa Tempesta Bassetti Poli Yeom Ezzati Ouédraogo Quevedo Langlois Capovilla Aguilar Felix 2015 Mamberti Clemente Souraphiel Dew Menichelli Nhơn Suárez Inda Bo Kovitvanit Montenegro Sturla Blázquez Lacunza Gomes Furtado Mafi Pimiento De Magistris Rauber Villalba Langa 2016 Zenari Nzapalainga Osoro da Rocha Cupich D'Rozario Porras De Kesel Piat Farrell Aguiar Retes Ribat Tobin Fernandez Corti Khoarai Simoni 2017 Zerbo Omella Arborelius Mangkhanekhoun Rosa 2018 Sako Ladaria De Donatis Becciu Krajewski Coutts Marto Barreto Tsarahazana Petrocchi Maeda Obeso Ticona Bocos 2019 Ayuso de Mendonça Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo García Ambongo Hollerich Ramazzini Zuppi López Czerny Fitzgerald Tamkevičius Dal Corso 2020 Grech Semeraro Kambanda Gregory Advincula Aós Braco Sim Lojudice Gambetti Arizmendi Tomasi Cantalamessa Feroci 2022 Roche You Vérgez Aveline Okpaleke Steiner Ferrão McElroy do Carmo da Silva Cantoni Poola Costa Baawobr Goh Martínez Flores Marengo Jimenéz Miglio Ghirlanda Frezza 2023 Prevost Gugerotti Fernández Tscherrig Pierre Pizzaballa Brislin Rossi Rueda Ryś Mulla Cobo Rugambwa Francis Chow Bustillo Alves Aguiar Fernández Artime Marchetto Padrón Dri 2024 Acerbi Castillo Bokalic Cabrera Chomali Kikuchi David Nemet Spengler Bessi Dogbo Vesco Mathieu Repole Reina Leo Makrickas Bychok Radcliffe Baggio Koovakad Battaglia Catholic Church portal

Authority control databases VIAF GND

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Anthony Poola](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Poola) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Poola?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.