The new president was made at the general assembly of the organisation on Sunday.
Torstila retired as the foreign affairs secretary this spring after serving in the state department for more than 40 years.
During his long service-life, he discharged duties in various key posts of the government and also served as ambassador to Sweden, Hungary and Croatia.
Torstila started working with the Red Cross as a volunteer as a school boy in Hämeenlinna.
In the past six years, the organization has been led by Bank of Finland President Erkki Liikanen.
