Italian author in uplifting procession (3)
I believe the answer is:
eco
'italian author' is the definition.
(Umberto Eco)
'in uplifting procession' is the wordplay.
'uplifting' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'in' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'oce' can be found hidden inside 'procession'.
'oce' in reverse letter order is 'ECO'.
(Other definitions for eco that I've seen before include "Environmental group" , "Green prefix" , "Umberto -, Italian author (The Name of the Rose)" , "Umberto --, Italian writer" , "Umberto - - , novelist" .)