Nicora was born in Varese, Italy and ordained a priest in 1964. Prior to being ordained, he had earned a license in Canon law from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome as well as a license in theology from the Theological Faculty in Milan. After his ordination, he became a professor of canon law at the Theological Seminary of Venegano. Nicora was proclaimed a Cardinal Deacon of San Filippo Neri in Eurosia in 2003 by Pope John Paul II. He participated in the Papal conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI.