Nicola Riezzo

Nicola Riezzo was an Italian Roman Catholic prelate who served as the Archbishop of Otranto from 1969 until his retirement in 1981. He had served prior to this as the Bishop of Castellaneta and concurrent to his term in office as an apostolic administrator for another diocese. Riezzo was well known for his holiness, with the priests in his diocese coming to love and admire him due to his careful attention to evangelization and catechesis. He had served as a professor following his ordination in Assisi and Molfetta prior to being nominated to the episcopate. Following his retirement in 1981 he moved to his hometown where he served as a pastor in his childhood San Nicola parish where he was known for remaining for extended periods in the confessional and out visiting the sick.