Bulletins, Newsletters, and Flocknotes

Resignation and appointment of bishop of Locri-Gerace, Italy

Appointment of Special Envoy to the 12th Plenary Assembly of the Federation of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC)

 

Resignation and appointment of bishop of Locri-Gerace, Italy

The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Locri-Gerace, Italy, presented by Bishop Francesco Oliva.

The Holy Father has appointed Bishop Cesare Di Pietro as bishop of the diocese of Locri-Gerace, Italy, transferring him from the titular see of Nicopolis ad Iaterum and the office of auxiliary bishop of the metropolitan archdiocese of Messina-Lipari-Santa Lucia del Mela.

Curriculum vitae

Bishop Cesare Di Pietro was born on 12 March 1964 in Messina, in the archdiocese of the same name. He obtained degree in jurisprudence from the University of Messina, and a bachelor’s degree from the San Tommaso Theological Institute of Messina.

He was ordained a priest on 25 October 1997, and incardinated into the metropolitan archdiocese of Messina-Lipari-Santa Lucia del Mela.

After ordination, he was awarded a doctorate in Church history from the Pontifical Gregorian University of Rome, and attended a course in paleography, archival sciences and diplomatics in the Vatican. He held the offices of special secretary to the archbishop (1999-2005), secretarial officer at the Congregation for Bishops and Pastoral Assistant at the parish of San Pio V in Rome (2005–2010); Rector of the San Pio X Archiepiscopal Seminary in Messina (2010–2018); and director of the Higher Institute of Religious Sciences of Santa Maria della Lettera in Messina (2014–2017). After obtaining a licentiate in canon law from the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome (2017), he went on to serve as vicar general of the archdiocese of Messina-Lipari-Santa Lucia del Mela (2017–2018).

He was appointed as titular bishop of Nicopolis ad Iaterum and auxiliary of the metropolitan archdiocese of Messina-Lipari-Santa Lucia del Mela on 28 May 2018, receiving episcopal ordination the following 2 July.

Within the Italian Episcopal Conference, he is secretary of the Episcopal Commission for the Liturgy, and within the Regional Episcopal Conference, bishop delegate for Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue.

 

Appointment of Special Envoy to the 12th Plenary Assembly of the Federation of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC)

The Holy Father has appointed His Eminence Cardinal Oswald Gracias, archbishop emeritus of Bombay, as his Special Envoy to the 12 th Plenary Assembly of the Federation of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC), scheduled to take place in Jakarta from 20 to 26 July 2026.

On 11 April 2026, the Holy Father appointed Archbishop Alejandro Arellano Cedillo, Dean of the Tribunal of the Roman Rota, as his Special Envoy to the procession to take place on 30 May 2026, on the centenary of the coronation of the Patroness of the Archdiocese of Toledo, Nuestra Señora del Sagrario.

The Pontifical Mission is composed of the following clerics:

1.     The Reverend Msgr. Raúl Muelas Jiménez, Pro Vicar General of Toledo;

2.     The Reverend Juan Pedro Sánchez Gamero, Dean of the Cathedral Chapter of Toledo.

 

The following is the Letter of the Holy Father to the Special Envoy, Archbishop Alejandro Arellano Cedillo:

 

Letter of the Holy Father

Venerabili Fratri

ALEXANDRO ARELLANO CEDILLO

Archiepiscopo titulo Bisuldinensi

Tribunalis Rotae Romanae Decano

Totius primatiale Hispaniae cathedrale Toletanum templum, quod quidem veluti avitae pietatis ac liberalitatis monumentum media aetate insigne, postquam christianam denuo praeclara urbs adepta erat libertatem, maiores vestri excitarunt, merito ob molis amplitudinem, lineamentorum perfectionem simulque ornatus splendorem, octingentesimum ab exaedificata pulcherrima aede faustum sollemnibus praeludit annum caeremoniis.

Huiusmodi ibidem in Ecclesia, mire tum a primordiis tum praeter modum s. Hildephonsi, Toletani episcopi, valenti impulsu, Sanctae Mariae tutelae herede, singulari cultu caelestis colitur Patrona, Virgo  a Sacrario  nuncupata, sacra cuius sedens effigies abhinc centum iam annos aurea redimita est corona.

In cognitionem ideo Nos pervenimus opportuni autem capti consilii, ea scilicet mente ut saecularis huius eventus faustitas augeretur, sollemnis apparandae ducendaeque processionis, quae sanctimoniae fructus in clero et in christifidelibus ferret uberrimos.

Quocirca libentes volentesque Venerabilis Fratris Francisci Cerro Chaves, sacrorum metropolitanae Toletanae archidioecesis Antistitis, postulatis subvenire cupimus, qui praestantem a Nobis poposcit Praelatum, ut centenariae Beatae Virginis  a Sacrario coronationis commemorationi agendae sollemniter interesset.

Quo festivius explicetur supra dicta processio, spectatum statuimus mittere virum, qui Nostram sustineat personam Nostramque pariter benignam ostendat mentem. Tu autem, Venerabilis Frater, prorsus aptus occurris, cui haec demandetur procuratio, quippe qui, ab eadem perantiqua Ecclesia oriundus, uti Decanus Tribunalis Rotae Romanae alacri praesis diligentia, cum Supremo munere iudiciali in caritate cooperans ministerio iustitiae et veritatis efficiendo. Quapropter te, harum Litterarum virtute, MISSUM EXTRAORDINARIUM NOSTRUM pia constituimus affectione, mandatis tibi factis, ut, exoptata occurrente processione, proximo die XXX mensis Maii anno MMXXVI Toleti ipsam Nostram significes vocem, unde cuncti novum suscipiant animum ad fidem augendam recteque excolendam.

Proximae demum saecularis commemorationis Nosmet Ipsi gaudium praecipimus, futurum prospicientes ut tam Toletanus quam Hispaniae clerus populusque universus a maiorum erga Deum fide eiusque suavissimam Matrem filiali devotione numquam desciscant quasque etiam temporibus nostris ardentius aemulentur.

Salutationem iam tandem fervidam una cum optatis Nostris, Venerabilis Frater, Archiepiscopo Metropolitae Toletano eiusdemque Auxiliari Episcopo atque sacrorum aliis inibi Antistitibus, clero, religiosis viris mulieribusque, necnon publicis auctoritatibus atque universis christifidelibus, communicare ne graveris, quae, ut effecta dentur, dilectissima Toletanorum Patrona sua impetret deprecatione. Caelestium interea munerum conciliatrix paternaeque Nostrae benevolentiae testis Apostolica sit Benedictio, quam tum tibi tum iis omnibus qui sollemni processioni intererunt, peramanter impertimur.

Ex Aedibus Vaticanis, die I mensis Maii, in memoria s. Ioseph, opificis, anno MMXXVI, Pontificatus Nostri primo.

Leo PP. XIV

At 7.58 this morning, the Holy Father Leo XIV departed by helicopter from the Vatican heliport to make a pastoral visit to Acerra, Naples, in order to meet the people of the “Terra dei Fuochi”, the “Land of Fires”.

Upon arrival at 8.45, after landing in the “Arcoleo” sports field in Acerra, the Pope was welcomed by Bishop Antonio Di Donna of Acerra; the Honourable Roberto Fico, President of the Campania Region; Dr. Michele Di Bari, Prefect of Naples; and Dr. Tito d’Errico, Mayor of Acerra.

Pope Leo XIV then transferred by car to the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta of Acerra, where, at 9.15, he met with the bishops, the clergy, men and women religious and the families of victims of environmental pollution.

After the welcome greeting from Bishop Antonio Di Donna, the Pope delivered his address.

At the end of the meeting, after greeting a number of representatives, the Holy Father transferred by car to Piazza Calipari for the meeting with the Mayors and faithful of the municipalities of the “Terra dei Fuochi”.

The following is the address delivered by the Pope to those present during the meeting:

 

Address of the Holy Father

In the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Peace be with you!

[Address from the diocesan Bishop]

Your Eminences, Your Excellencies, Dear brothers and sisters, good morning and thank you for your welcome!

I thank the Lord for the opportunity to meet you, having returned to Campania just a few days after my visit to the Shrine of Pompeii and the city of Naples. As you know, Pope Francis had hoped to come here, to what has sadly come to be known as the “Terra dei Fuochi”, the “Land of Fires”, but he was unable to do so. Today we intend to fulfil his wish, recognizing the great gift that the Encyclical Laudato si’ has been for the Church’s mission in this land. Indeed, the cry of creation and of the poor amongst you has been felt all the more dramatically, due to a deadly combination of obscure interests and indifference to the common good, which has poisoned the natural and social environment. It is a cry that calls for conversion!

In this Cathedral we are experiencing the first ecclesial and, I would say, most intimate part of my visit. Then, in the square, we will symbolically meet the whole of society. I have come first and foremost to gather the tears of those who have lost loved ones, killed by environmental pollution caused by unscrupulous individuals and organizations, who for too long have been able to act with impunity. I am here, however, also to thank those who have responded to evil with good, especially a Church that has dared to speak out and be prophetic, to gather the people in hope. Thus, knowing that I was visiting you on the eve of Pentecost, I searched the Holy Scriptures for a page that could interpret and inspire your journey. I found it in a magnificent vision of the prophet Ezekiel, led by the Lord to have an experience that would become a powerful message of resurrection for the exiled people. Ezekiel recounts: “The hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; it was full of bones. And he led me round among them; and behold, there were very many upon the valley; and they were very dry” ( Ez 37:1-2).

Dear friends, God had placed man and woman in a garden, so that they might cultivate and care for it. Everything was life, beauty and fertility. Even this land was once known as Campania felix , for it had the power to enchant with its fruitfulness, its produce and its culture, like a hymn to life. And yet, here is death, of the land and of mankind. We can identify with the prophet’s dismay at that expanse of dry bones. We grieve for the devastation that has compromised a marvellous ecosystem, places, stories and memories. Faced with this reality, there can be two attitudes: indifference or responsibility. You have chosen responsibility and, with God’s help, have embarked on a journey of commitment and the pursuit of justice.

The Lord then poses a question to Ezekiel: “Son of man, can these bones live?”. He answered: “O Lord God, thou knowest” ( Ez 37:3). Dear friends, here God has new questions for us, which broaden our horizons. He knows that we have a heart that seeks life and longs for eternity, but that all too easily puts them off to an indefinite and distant time, to a different world that does not yet exist. Ezekiel, on the other hand, must serve his people, those who are here, in the situation in which they find themselves. In the same way, our Churches have the mission to make the Word of God resound here and now. This Word asks us whether we believe in its very possibilities: it is the Word of life. If we meet today, it is to respond to this Word. And we respond thus: Lord, death seems to be everywhere, injustice seems to have triumphed, crime, corruption and indifference still kill, goodness seems to have withered away. Yet, if you ask us, ‘Can these bones live?’, we believe and say: “O Lord God, thou knowest!” You know that we can rise again, because you yourself take us by the hand. You know that our desert can blossom. You know how to turn mourning into joy.

Sisters and brothers, all of this is very tangible: it is a promise that is already becoming a reality. Pope Francis, in the Encyclical Laudato si’ , whilst denouncing a paradigm of death, clearly announced the silent emergence of new life. After listing examples in which people are already setting out together and giving new shape to social and environmental justice, he writes: “An authentic humanity, calling for a new synthesis, seems to dwell in the midst of our technological culture, almost unnoticed… Will the promise last, in spite of everything, with all that is authentic rising up in stubborn resistance?” ( Laudato si’ , 112). Dear friends, be witnesses to this “stubborn resistance” that becomes rebirth, where the Gospel illuminates and transforms life. This is what the Second Vatican Council taught us, particularly with the Constitution Gaudium et spes . The Lord asks us new questions about how we live in our neighbourhoods, about our willingness to work together as individuals and institutions, about our passion for education, about honesty in our work, about the fair distribution of power and wealth, and about respect for people and for all creatures. Can these lands come back to life? Be the answer yourselves: a community united in faith and commitment. Life will then flourish.

And here is the Lord’s command to His prophet: “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live” ( Ez 37:4-5). Ezekiel obeys and observes: “I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to its bone. And as I looked, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them; but there was no breath in them” ( Ez 37:7-8). We understand, therefore, that the miracle does not happen all at once. The prophet is certainly astonished by what he sees and hears, but it is still not enough; something is still missing. The same applies to us: we must trust again, listen again, believe again. The choices you have made, the ecclesial journey you have undertaken, the small and great new beginnings with which you have faced your pain are not yet everything. If you stop, you go backwards. Indeed, the Lord speaks again to Ezekiel: “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live”. So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great host” ( Ez 37:9-10).

Brothers and sisters, may the Holy Spirit grant you to see an “army” of peace rising to its feet and healing the wounds of this land and its communities. No longer a fire that destroys, but a fire that revives and warms, the fire of the Spirit that kindles the hearts and minds of thousands upon thousands of men and women, of children and the elderly, and inspires care, consolation, attention and true love. In particular, you, families struck by death, generate new life by passing on to your sons and daughters, grandchildren and neighbours that sense of responsibility which has all too often been lacking until now. Let resentment die; be the first to practise the justice you seek; bear witness to life, and educate in care.

And you, ordained ministers, women and men religious, be living members of this people: manifest daily the authority of service, which humbles itself and draws near, which takes the first step and forgives. A culture of privilege, of arrogance, of irresponsibility, which has done so much harm to this land, as to many other regions of Italy and the world, must indeed be dismantled. May the Spirit blow from the four winds and inspire new forms of proclamation, cooperation, and environmental and social regeneration. There is indeed a spirituality of places, but one that owes everything to the spirituality of people. For the transformation of the world always begins in the heart. Ezekiel himself, before this prophecy of death and resurrection, proclaimed the renewal of which God alone is capable: “Thus says the Lord God … I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances. You shall dwell in the land which I gave to your fathers; and you shall be my people, and I will be your God” ( Ez 36: 22, 27-28).

May the Risen Jesus grant us to dwell together in this way, able to receive and put into practice the Word of God, pilgrims here below and citizens in His eternity.

This morning, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father Leo XIV received in audience the participants in the international Conference “Preserving Human Voices and Faces”. The Conference, promoted by the Dicastery for Communication, in collaboration with the Dicastery for Culture and Education, on the occasion of the 60th World Day of Social Communications, took place yesterday at the Pontifical Urbaniana University.

The following is the address delivered by the Pope to those present during the meeting:

 

Address of the Holy Father

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Peace be with you.

Good morning to you all and welcome!

I am pleased to welcome you following the International Congress held yesterday to mark the 60th World Communications Day. As scholars and experts well versed in digital communication, your concern for the future of humanity has brought you to Rome in order to reflect upon media and digital literacy. By participating in this initiative, you have each brought your own gifts and talents to contribute to the future direction of humanity in this time marked by the exponential growth of technology, a question particularly significant for the mission of the Church.

It is precisely within the context of the Church’s universal mission that her advocacy of social communications can best be understood. In fact, the  Second Vatican Council ’s Decree on the Mass Media — which gave rise to World Communications Day — begins by reminding us that the Church “was founded by Christ our Lord to bring salvation to everybody and consequently she is duty bound to preach the gospel” ( Inter Mirifica  3). The primary concern of the Church has been, and continues to be, the eternal salvation of every human person. As we read in John’s Gospel: “That they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” ( Jn  17:3).

This desire for everyone “to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” ( 1 Tim  2:4) must therefore inform not only our decisions and actions, but also the use and the direction given to media, digital technology and artificial intelligence in order to ensure that these tools be placed at the authentic service of humanity. As sadly evidenced by the unbridled promotion and implementation of technology at the expense of human dignity and the damage caused when chatbots and other technologies exploit our need for human relationships, we are truly experiencing an eclipse of the sense of what it means to be human (cf.  Message for the 60th World Day of Social Communications ). It is therefore all the more imperative to recover an understanding of the true meaning and grandeur of humanity as intended by God. It is in this sense that the challenge we currently face is “not technological, but anthropological” ( ibid. ), and it is my hope that the Encyclical Letter to be published within a few days will contribute to answering this challenge.

In this light, I am confident that it is only through contemplating Christ, the Incarnate Word, that we can recover not only a proper vision of God, but also come to understand the truth of humanity. Since “by his incarnation the Son of God has united Himself in some fashion with every human person” ( Gaudium et Spes  22), the human heart will never fully fathom the depths of its own recesses nor understand its worth apart from the heart of Christ.  For this reason, the true preservation of the face and voice of every individual must necessarily entail an encounter with him who is “the image of the invisible God,” while at the same time being himself the perfect man ( Col  1:15). 

Naturally, all of this must be born in mind while discussing the implications of digital technology and the role of the Church in social communications.  Such a task is not always easy, but we have been called to bring the light of Christ to the world, illuminating every dimension of human activity (cf  Jn  8:12;  Mt  5:14-16). How can we fail to do so in our own time, especially with an issue so prevalent in society? As a result, the Church finds herself compelled to contribute to the effort of planning and implementing media, information and AI literacy within education systems. In this way, she can help to ensure that people acquire critical thinking skills and that technologies contribute to the salvation of those who use them (cf.  Message for the 60th World Day of Social Communications ;  Inter Mirifica  3).

All of us, I am sure, are particularly concerned about the possible consequences of the use of digital technology and AI not only on the physical and intellectual development of children and young people, but also on their spiritual wellbeing. In this regard, all people, but especially the young “should learn moderation and discipline in their use” of such technology ( Inter Mirifica  10), supported by the guidance of parents and educators.  Moreover, in light of the Church’s mission and the current misconceptions concerning God and the human person, digital literacy must also include an education in the truth about God and about humanity. Young people in particular are open to this truth and desirous of discovering life’s meaning. We must therefore help them to encounter the living Christ and teach them to integrate the use of technology within a holistic Christian lifestyle.

Dear brothers and sisters, this is an issue that is particularly close to my heart and close to that of the Church. Indeed, as a Mother, the Church takes interest in the lives of her children, desiring to guide them to full maturity (cf  Ef  4:13 ) . It is my hope that these reflections lead to a restored trust in technology as a fruit of the genius of the human person in harmony with God’s creative design. In thanking you for your efforts now and in the future, I cordially invoke upon you and upon your families the divine blessings of wisdom, joy and peace. Thank you.

This morning, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV received in audience the  Taoiseach  (Prime Minister) of Ireland, His Excellency Mr Micheál Martin, who subsequently met with His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, accompanied by Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations.

During the cordial talks at the Secretariat of State, satisfaction was expressed for the good relations between the Holy See and Ireland. Attention then turned to the country’s socio-economic situation, as well as to relations between the local Church and the State, with particular focus on the area of education.

The conversation continued regarding several regional and international policy issues, including Europe and the Middle East, the prospects for peace in those regions, as well as the question of multilateralism.

From the Vatican, 22 May 2026