Carlo was born in Turin, Italy on 20 April 1954 and completed his studies in philosophy and theology at the Pontifical Salesian University.
On 26 May 1984, he was ordained a priest in Cuorgne for the Salesians of Don Bosco, and later obtained an academic degree in materials science with a specialization in literary arts at the University of Turin in 1989.
He held numerous positions in the administrative academic when he became a professor of theoretical philosophy at the Pontifical Salesian University.
On 21 December 2006, Chenis was elected bishop of Civitavecchia–Tarquinia and later received his episcopal consecration in the Basilica of St. John Bosco in Rome from the Secretary of State Cardinal, Tarcisio Bertone, on 10 February 2007.
On 24 February, he took possession of the diocese, overseeing the port of Civitavecchia, a church within the Trajan markets.