After serving as a parochial vicar, he worked as chaplain to the University of Genoa. Piacenza taught canon law at the Theological Faculty of Northern Italy and held several other posts, serving as the archbishop's press officer.
He started his career as a local church leader before becoming the university chaplain in Genoa. Subsequently, Piacenza taught canon law at the theological school in northern Italy and held various other roles, including serving as the archbishop's official representative.