Paolo Dezza (December 13, 1901 in Parma, Italy – December 17, 1999 in Rome) was a Roman Catholic Jesuit Cardinal, who led the Gregorian University during the pontificate of Pius XII, whom he aided in the preparation of the dogma of the assumption of Mary. He was confessor to Popes Paul VI and John Paul I and was teacher of Pope John II. In 1981, Pope John Paul appointed Dezza and Pittau to head the Jesuit order, which would have preferred a liberal American. In 1991, Dezza was named Cardinal by John Paul II. The Pope personally conducted the Mass of Christian Burial for Paolo Cardinal Dezza on December 20, 1999.