Giovanni Canestri (30 September 1918 – 29 April 2015) was an Italian Catholic cardinal, who served as Archbishop of Cagliari from 1984 until 1987 and as Archbishop of Genoa from 1987 until 1995.
Canestri studied at the Minor Seminary of Alessandria from 1929 (secondary studies); then, at the Episcopal Seminary of Alessandria, where he obtained the maturità classica. In 1937, he went to Rome to study at the Pontifical Roman Seminary, Rome. Concurrently he studied at the Pontifical Lateran University, Rome, where he obtained a licentiate in theology; and later, a doctorate in utroque iure, both canon law and civil law; and at the Rome State University, where he earned a doctorate in letters. In August 1959 he was nominated spiritual director of the Pontifical Roman Seminary and was member of the commission for the first diocesan synod of Rome. He also served as Apostolic examiner of the clergy.
On 7 January 1971 he was transferred to the see of Tortona. On 8 February 1975 he was transferred to the titular see of Monterano, with personal title of archbishop, and appointed vicegerent of the Diocese of Rome. During this time he was dedicated to the growth and development of the community, defending the values of the human person, especially the value of life.