A lawyer by profession from Rome, Italy, Francesco has enjoyed a long and distinguished career with both the Italian Red Cross and the IFRC.

He joined the Italian Red Cross as Head of Emergency Operations in 2008. He then served as Extraordinary Commissioner from 2009-2013 before being appointed National President – a role he holds to this day alongside his IFRC presidential duties. He also remains an active volunteer.

At the IFRC, Francesco previously served as the Italian Red Cross representative on the IFRC Governing Board from 2009-2013 before becoming Vice-President for Europe from 2013-2017.

Prior to joining the Italian Red Cross, he spent the 1990s fighting organized crime in Italy before moving into the health sector in 2003 as General Director of Sant’Andrea Hospital in Rome.

He holds a degree in Law from La Sapienza University and a professional qualification in Health Management from Italy’s Public Administration Superior School. He is fluent in English and has a working knowledge of Spanish.

Throughout his career, Francesco has been a strong advocate on behalf of vulnerable migrants, calling consistently on political leaders to put the safety and dignity of people at the centre of their migration policies.

For media enquiries relating to President Rocca, please contact Tommaso Della Longa, Senior Communications and Public Affairs Adviser, via email [email protected] or phone +41 (0) 79 708 4367.