Angelo De Donatis
Stored: Angelo De Donatis
| His Eminence Angelo De Donatis | |
| Bishop of Apostolic Penitentiary | |
| Home diocese: | Diocese of Nardò-Gallipoli |
| Other diocese 1: | Diocese of Rome |
| Other diocese 2: | |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 12 April 1980 by Archbishop Cosmo Francesco Ruppi |
| Consecration: | 9 November 2015 by Pope Francis |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 28 June 2018 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Angelo De Donatis 4 January 1954 Casarano, Apulia, Italy |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | Italian |
| Education: | Pontifical Lateran University, Pontifical Gregorian University |
| Motto: | "Nihil Caritas Non Operatur" (Charity Achieves All Things) |
| Role: | Curial |
| Theology: | Moderate |
| Region: | Western Europe |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Eligible |
Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, born January 4, 1954, is an Italian prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, serving as Major Penitentiary of the Apostolic Penitentiary since April 2024, after being Vicar General of Rome from 2017 to 2024.[1] Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2018, he is known for his pastoral leadership in Rome, including closing churches during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic before reversing the decision at Francis’ request, and for preaching the 2014 Lenten spiritual exercises for the Roman Curia.[2] His motto, “Nihil Caritas Non Operatur” (Charity Achieves All Things), reflects his focus on pastoral charity, evident in his 2024 appointment to oversee absolution of sins reserved to the Holy See and his 2025 call for a Church open to all during conclave discussions.[3] At 71, De Donatis is one of 19 Italian cardinal-electors in the 2025 papal conclave, starting May 7, where he attended Pope Francis’ funeral rites and, as Major Penitentiary, held the unique privilege of communicating externally to fulfill his duties.[4][5]
Ordained a priest in 1980, De Donatis served as Auxiliary Bishop of Rome (2015–2017) before his vicariate, during which he implemented Pope Francis’ reforms, such as transferring parishes to missionary communities.[1] His 2024 transfer to the Apostolic Penitentiary, succeeding Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, positioned him as one of three cardinals (alongside the Camerlengo and Vicar for Rome) retaining office during the sede vacante, allowing him to address penance-related matters during the conclave.[1] In April 2025, De Donatis participated in general congregations in Rome, advocating for a Church that remains faithful to its mission while engaging the modern world, and joined 132 other cardinal-electors in the Sistine Chapel, a historic moment for the Vatican’s curial leadership.[3][6] His curial experience and pastoral focus make him a respected figure, though his administrative role tempers papabile speculation.[5]
Biography
Birth and early life
Angelo De Donatis was born on January 4, 1954, in Casarano, Apulia, Italy, to a Catholic family in a region known for its religious heritage.[2] He attended local schools before entering the seminary in Taranto at age 17, later transferring to Rome to pursue priestly formation.[1] His early life in southern Italy shaped his pastoral approach to community engagement.[3]
Growing up in a devout environment, De Donatis was influenced by his parish’s active ministry, fostering his vocation amidst Italy’s post-Vatican II renewal.[1] His family supported his discernment, grounding his commitment to service.[2]
Education
De Donatis studied philosophy at the Pontifical Lateran University and theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, earning a licentiate in moral theology.[2] His academic focus on moral theology equipped him for pastoral and curial roles.[1] He completed his formation at the Pontifical Roman Major Seminary.[3]
Fluent in Italian and likely English (used in Vatican roles, though unconfirmed), his education emphasized Church teaching in a modern context.[3] His theological training supported his later preaching for the Roman Curia.[2]
Priesthood
Ordained a priest for the Diocese of Nardò-Gallipoli on April 12, 1980, by Archbishop Cosmo Francesco Ruppi, De Donatis served as a parish priest, spiritual director at the Pontifical Roman Major Seminary (1989–1990), and archivist for the Italian Episcopal Conference.[2] He led the clergy office for Rome’s diocese and taught religion at the Anco Marzio Liceum.[3] His ministry focused on formation and pastoral care.[1]
His priesthood included preaching the 2014 Lenten exercises for the Roman Curia, earning Pope Francis’ attention.[2] His administrative roles enhanced his curial expertise.[3]
Bishop
Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Rome and Titular Bishop of Mottola on September 14, 2015, by Pope Francis, De Donatis was consecrated on November 9, 2015, by Francis himself.[2] Named Vicar General of Rome in 2017 and Major Penitentiary in 2024, he was elevated to cardinal in 2018, assigned the titular church of San Marco.[1] He remains active in curial duties.[4]
As bishop, De Donatis implemented Francis’ Roman reforms, managed the 2020 church closures, and participated in the 2025 conclave with external communication privileges.[1] His curial role underscores his Vatican influence.[5]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diocese of Rome | Auxiliary Bishop | 14 September 2015 | 26 May 2017 | Titular Bishop of Mottola |
| Diocese of Rome | Vicar General | 26 May 2017 | 6 April 2024 | Elevated to cardinal in 2018 |
| Apostolic Penitentiary | Major Penitentiary | 6 April 2024 | Present | Retains office during sede vacante |
Significant events
- Entered Taranto seminary, 1971.[2]
- Ordained priest for Nardò-Gallipoli, 1980.[2]
- Preached Lenten exercises for Roman Curia, 2014.[2]
- Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Rome, 2015.[2]
- Named Vicar General of Rome, 2017.[2]
- Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis, 2018.[2]
- Hospitalized for COVID-19, 2020.[2]
- Closed and reopened Rome’s churches, 2020.[2]
- Appointed Major Penitentiary, 2024.[1]
- Attended Pope Francis’ funeral and conclave preparations, 2025.[5]
Books
Written about the bishop
- No specific biographies dedicated to Cardinal De Donatis were identified.
Written by the bishop
- De Donatis, Angelo. Nulla Caritas Non Operatur: Esercizi Spirituali per Sacerdoti. [Charity Achieves All Things: Spiritual Exercises for Priests]. Rome: Edizioni San Paolo, 2019. Available at Amazon.
External links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 "Pope Francis transfers vicar of Rome Cardinal De Donatis to Vatican post". Catholic News Agency. 2024-04-06. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/257279/pope-francis-transfers-vicar-of-rome-cardinal-de-donatis-to-vatican-post.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 "Angelo De Donatis". Wikipedia. 2018-05-20. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angelo_De_Donatis.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 "Cardinal Angelo De Donatis". The College of Cardinals Report. 2024-11-23. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/cardinal-angelo-de-donatis/.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Conclave - 2025". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. 2025-04-28. https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/event/c2025.html.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Conclave: Who will elect the next Pope". Vatican News. 2025-04-29. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-04/conclave-who-will-elect-the-next-pope.html.
- ↑ "Post by @acloudofsaints". X. 2025-04-26. https://t.co/XfYZZWb5sS.