 On 20 November 2010 Pope Benedict XVI created him Cardinal-Deacon of San Paolo alle Tre Fontane and, on 29 December 2010, appointed him a member of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, the Congregation for Catholic Education, and the Pontifical Council for Social Communications.He was one of the cardinal electors who participated in the 2013 papal conclave that elected Pope Francis.Piacenza, like all officers of the Roman Curia, lost his position with the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.