View source for António Augusto dos Santos Marto

{{Bishop
|honorific_prefix=His Eminence
|name=António Augusto dos Santos Marto
|diocese=Diocese of Leiria-Fátima
|home_diocese=Diocese of Vila Real
|other_diocese1=Diocese of Viseu
|other_diocese2=Archdiocese of Braga
|other_diocese3=
|ordination=7 November 1971
|ordained_by=Archbishop Américo Henriques
|consecration=20 September 1998
|consecrated_by=Archbishop Eurico Dias Nogueira
|rank=Cardinal
|cardinal=28 June 2018
|created_cardinal_by=Pope Francis
|conclave_eligibility=Eligible
|birth_name=António Augusto dos Santos Marto
|birth_date=5 May 1947
|birth_place=Tronco, Chaves, Portugal
|death_date=
|death_place=
|nationality=Portuguese
|education=Pontifical Gregorian University, Catholic University of Portugal
|motto="In spe et caritate" (In Hope and Charity)
|role=Diocesan
|theology=Moderate
|region=Western Europe
|rite=Roman Rite
}}

Cardinal António Augusto dos Santos Marto, born {{Birth date and age|1947|5|5}}, is a Portuguese prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, serving as Bishop Emeritus of Leiria-Fátima since his retirement in 2022 after leading the diocese from 2006.<ref name="web0">{{cite web |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ant%C3%B3nio_Marto |title=António Marto |publisher=Wikipedia |date=2018-05-20 |access-date=2025-04-30}}</ref> Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2018, he is known for his theological scholarship, notably his doctorate on Vatican II’s eschatology, and his pastoral leadership at the Sanctuary of Fátima, where he oversaw the 2017 canonization of Saints Francisco and Jacinta Marto, despite no familial relation.<ref name="web13">{{cite web |url=https://fr.zenit.org/2018/06/01/college-cardinalice-mgr-antonio-dos-santos-marto-eveque-de-leiria-fatima-futur-cardinal/ |title=Collège cardinalice : Mgr Antonio dos Santos Marto, évêque de Leiria-Fátima, futur cardinal |publisher=ZENIT |date=2018-06-01 |access-date=2025-04-30}}</ref> His motto, “In spe et caritate” (In Hope and Charity), reflects his emphasis on hope and service, evident in his 2020 rejection of COVID-19 as divine punishment and his 2024 advocacy for synodality to renew the Church.<ref name="web14">{{cite web |url=https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Ant%C3%B3nio_Marto |title=António Marto |publisher=Wikiwand |access-date=2025-04-30}}</ref> At 77, Marto is one of four Portuguese cardinal-electors in the 2025 papal conclave, starting May 7, where he attended Pope Francis’ funeral rites and expressed hope for a pope continuing Francis’ reforms, emphasizing a youthful, inclusive Church.<ref name="web22">{{cite web |url=https://www.portugalpulse.com/cardinal-antonio-marto-says-there-is-no-room-for-regression-in-the-church/ |title=Cardinal António Marto says there is no room for regression in the Church |publisher=Portugal Pulse |date=2025-04-22 |access-date=2025-04-30}}</ref><ref name="web15">{{cite web |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-04/conclave-who-will-elect-the-next-pope.html |title=Conclave: Who will elect the next Pope |publisher=Vatican News |date=2025-04-29 |access-date=2025-04-30}}</ref>

A former worker-priest influenced by the French movement, Marto served as Bishop of Viseu (2004–2006) and Auxiliary Bishop of Braga (2000–2004) before Leiria-Fátima, where he promoted ecumenism and vocational discernment.<ref name="web0"/> His 2020 consecration of Portugal, Spain, and 24 other countries to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary during the COVID-19 pandemic underscored his Marian devotion.<ref name="web14"/> In April 2025, arriving in Rome for pre-conclave meetings, Marto predicted a short conclave, citing consensus among cardinals for a candidate aligned with Francis’ global, inclusive vision, particularly from flourishing Catholic regions like Africa and Asia.<ref name="web22"/> His theological expertise and pastoral experience position him as a respected voice, though his age and emeritus status temper papabile speculation.<ref name="post5">{{cite web |url=https://t.co/kTr7m6bfMb |title=Post by @Leiria_Fatima |publisher=X |date=2025-04-28 |access-date=2025-04-30}}</ref>