Américo Manuel Alves Aguiar
Stored: Américo Manuel Alves Aguiar
| His Eminence Américo Manuel Alves Aguiar | |
| Bishop of Diocese of Setúbal | |
| Home diocese: | Diocese of Porto |
| Other diocese 1: | Patriarchate of Lisbon |
| Other diocese 2: | |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 8 July 2001 by Bishop Armindo Lopes Coelho |
| Consecration: | 31 March 2019 by Cardinal Manuel Clemente |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 30 September 2023 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Américo Manuel Alves Aguiar 12 December 1973 Leça do Balio, Matosinhos, Portugal |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | Portuguese |
| Education: | Catholic University of Portugal, Porto; Catholic University of Portugal, Lisbon |
| Motto: | "In Manus Tuas" |
| Role: | Diocesan |
| Theology: | Progressive |
| Region: | Western Europe |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Eligible |
Américo Manuel Alves Aguiar (born December 12, 1973) is a Portuguese Roman Catholic cardinal and the bishop of Setúbal since 2023. Elevated to the cardinalate by Pope Francis on 30 September 2023 at age 49, he is one of the youngest members of the College of Cardinals and participated in the 2025 papal conclave following Pope Francis's death. Aguiar gained international prominence as president of the World Youth Day (WYD) Lisbon 2023 Foundation, overseeing an event that drew over 1.5 million pilgrims. His progressive theological stance, emphasizing interreligious dialogue and social justice, aligns with Pope Francis’s vision but has sparked debate, notably over his 2023 WYD comments on conversion.[1][2]
Before his current role, Aguiar served as auxiliary bishop of the Patriarchate of Lisbon (2019–2023) and held key positions in the Diocese of Porto, including vicar general and president of the Renascença Multimédia Group. His early political involvement as a Socialist Party councilor in Matosinhos (1994–1997) and his media expertise have shaped his pastoral approach, blending Church leadership with civic engagement. His episcopal motto, “In Manus Tuas” (“Into Your Hands”), reflects his commitment to divine guidance, while his work in Setúbal focuses on youth engagement and community outreach.[3][4]
Biography
Birth and early life
Américo Manuel Alves Aguiar was born on 12 December 1973 in Leça do Balio, Matosinhos, near Porto, Portugal, into a devout Catholic family. He was active in his parish as a catechist, acolyte, lector, and Boy Scout, fostering an early commitment to service. His education included Escola Primária de São Sebastião, Escola Preparatória da Pedra Verde, and secondary schools in São Mamede de Infesta and Maia. From 1991 to 1992, he worked at Joaquim Matos de Almeida Lda and founded Amileça, a community association for the Leça River, serving as its president until 1995.[5][6]
Aguiar’s youth was marked by political engagement as a member of the Socialist Party, serving on the Matosinhos City Council from 1994 to 1997, which he described as “great fun.” He also worked in electoral politics in Maia, collaborating with municipal councils. This blend of civic and religious involvement shaped his approach to community leadership, later evident in his pastoral roles and organizational efforts like WYD Lisbon 2023.[7]
Education
In 1995, Aguiar entered the Ermesinde seminary and studied theology at the Porto section of the Catholic University of Portugal, earning a degree. He later completed a master’s degree in communication sciences in 2014 at the Catholic University of Portugal in Lisbon, enhancing his skills in media and public engagement.[2]
His education combined theological rigor with practical communication training, preparing him for leadership in Church media, including his role as president of the Renascença Multimédia Group. His studies in Lisbon exposed him to contemporary social issues, reinforcing his progressive theological outlook and commitment to inclusive dialogue.[8]
Priesthood
Ordained a priest for the Diocese of Porto on 8 July 2001 by Bishop Armindo Lopes Coelho, Aguiar served as parish priest of São Pedro de Azevedo in Campanhã (2001–2002) and later in solidum at Porto Cathedral (2014–2015). His roles included notary at the Diocesan Curia (2001–2004), head of the Information and Communication Office (2002–2015), vicar general (2004–2015), and major chaplain of the Misericórdia of Porto. From 2011, he led the Irmandade dos Clérigos, and in 2016, he became president of the Renascença Multimédia Group and director of the National Secretariat of Social Communications.[9][6]
Aguiar’s priestly ministry emphasized communication, youth engagement, and community outreach. His media leadership and organizational skills positioned him to lead WYD Lisbon 2023, while his progressive approach focused on inclusivity and social issues, reflecting his political background.[10]
Bishop
Appointed auxiliary bishop of Lisbon and titular bishop of Dagno on 1 March 2019 by Pope Francis, Aguiar was consecrated on 31 March 2019 by Cardinal Manuel Clemente at Santíssima Trindade Church in Porto.[6] As auxiliary bishop (2019–2023), he led the Commission for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Persons until March 2023 and served as president of the WYD Lisbon 2023 Foundation. His organization of WYD (1–6 August 2023) was praised for its scale, but his remark, “We don’t want to convert young people to Christ,” drew criticism from traditionalists. He clarified that WYD aimed to foster encounters with God through dialogue, aligning with Pope Francis’s interreligious priorities.[11][12][13]
On 21 September 2023, Aguiar was appointed bishop of Setúbal, taking possession on 26 October 2023 and making a solemn entry on 29 October. Created cardinal on 30 September 2023, he serves as a suffragan of the Patriarchate of Lisbon under Patriarch Rui Valério. His ministry in Setúbal prioritizes youth, social justice, and community engagement, inspired by the diocese’s first bishop, Manuel Martins. As a cardinal under 80, he participated in the 2025 papal conclave, noted for his progressive voice and proximity to Pope Francis.[4][14]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patriarchate of Lisbon | Auxiliary Bishop | 31 March 2019 | 21 September 2023 | Titular Bishop of Dagno; President of WYD Lisbon 2023 Foundation |
| Diocese of Setúbal | Diocesan Bishop | 26 October 2023 | Present | Elevated to cardinal in 2023 |
Significant events
- Appointed auxiliary bishop of Patriarchate of Lisbon in 2019.[6]
- President of the World Youth Day Lisbon 2023 Foundation, overseeing the event in August 2023.[11]
- Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis on 30 September 2023.[2]
- Appointed bishop of Diocese of Setúbal in September 2023.[4]
- Participated in the 2025 papal conclave as one of the youngest cardinal-electors.[1]
Books
Written about the bishop
- No major biographies or books specifically about Cardinal Aguiar have been identified in available sources as of May 2025.
Written by the bishop
- No books authored by Cardinal Aguiar have been identified in available sources as of May 2025.
External links
- Américo Manuel Cardinal Alves Aguiar at Catholic-Hierarchy.org
- Biografia de D. Américo Aguiar at Diocese of Setúbal
- Vatican News: Portuguese Bishop Américo Aguiar Named Cardinal
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Meet the 5 youngest cardinals taking part in the conclave". Catholic News Agency. 2025-05-01. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260678/meet-the-5-youngest-cardinals-taking-part-in-the-conclave.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "AGUIAR ALVES Card. Américo Manuel". Vatican Press. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinal_aguiar-alves-americo-manuel.html.
- ↑ d’Avillez, Filipe (2023-07-12). "The rise of Bishop Américo Aguiar". The Pillar. https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/the-rise-of-bishop-americo-aguiar.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "D. Américo Aguiar, do Porto para o mundo com serviço pastoral em Setúbal". Vatican News. 2023-09-26. https://www.vaticannews.va/pt/igreja/news/2023-09/d-americo-aguiar-do-porto-para-o-mundo-com-servico-pastoral-em.html.
- ↑ "Américo Aguiar". Wikipedia (Spanish). https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Américo_Aguiar.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "Américo Manuel Cardinal Alves Aguiar". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/baguiar.html.
- ↑ "Américo Aguiar". Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Américo_Aguiar.
- ↑ "Cardinal Américo Manuel Aguiar Alves". College of Cardinals Report. 2024-11-23. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/americo-manuel-aguiar-alves/.
- ↑ "Cardinal nomination is “homage to Portuguese youth”". Portugal Pulse. 2023-07-09. https://www.portugalpulse.com/cardinal-nomination-is-homage-to-portuguese-youth/.
- ↑ "Pope Appoints New Bishop of Setúbal". EWTN Vatican. https://www.ewtnvatican.com/articles/pope-appoints-new-bishop-of-setubal-408.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 "US bishop thanks Mgr Américo Aguiar". WYD Lisbon 2023. https://www.lisboa2023.org/en/news/us-bishop-thanks-mgr-americo-aguiar.
- ↑ "WYD is an invitation to young people to experience God". Catholic News Agency. 2023-07-09. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/254763/wyd-is-an-invitation-to-young-people-to-experience-god-explains-future-portuguese-cardinal.
- ↑ "Bishop Aguiar, Pope Benedict, and Interreligious Dialogue". Where Peter Is. 2023-07-15. https://wherepeteris.com/bishop-aguiar-pope-benedict-and-interreligious-dialogue/.
- ↑ "Meet the youngest cardinals voting in the 2025 papal conclave". Tribune. 2025-04-29. https://tribune.net.ph/2025/04/meet-the-youngest-cardinals-voting-in-the-2025-papal-conclave/.