Ángel Fernández Artime
Stored: Ángel Fernández Artime, Ángel Fernández Artime
| His Eminence Ángel Fernández Artime | |
| Bishop of | |
| Home diocese: | Diocese of León |
| Other diocese 1: | |
| Other diocese 2: | |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 4 July 1987 by Bishop Antonio Briva Mirabent |
| Consecration: | 20 April 2024 by Cardinal Emil Paul Tscherrig |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 30 September 2023 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Ángel Fernández Artime August 21, 1960 Gozón-Luanco, Asturias, Spain |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | Spanish |
| Education: | University of Valladolid |
| Motto: | Sufficit Tibi Gratia Mea |
| Role: | Curial |
| Theology: | Progressive |
| Region: | Southern Europe |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Eligible |
Ángel Fernández Artime, born August 21, 1960, is a Spanish Catholic cardinal and Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life since 2025. A member of the Salesians of Don Bosco, he served as their Rector Major from 2014 to 2024, the first Spaniard in that role. Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023, he was the first cleric made cardinal while heading a religious order, reflecting his close ties to the pope from their time in Buenos Aires. His ministry emphasizes youth evangelization, synodality, and support for the marginalized, rooted in the Roman Rite.[1][2][3]
Born in Gozón-Luanco, Asturias, Fernández Artime professed his first vows in 1978 and developed a friendship with then-Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires. Appointed titular Archbishop of Ursona in 2024, he led the Novendiales Mass for Pope Francis on May 3, 2025, and is eligible for the 2025 papal conclave, with some X posts speculating on his papal candidacy due to his progressive stance and pastoral experience.[4][5][6][7]
Biography
Birth and early life
Ángel Fernández Artime was born on August 21, 1960 in Gozón-Luanco, Asturias, Spain, to a fishing family.[1] His father was a fisherman, and his mother sold the catch. In 1970, the family moved to Astudillo, Palencia, where he attended a boarding school, later studying in Cambados, Pontevedra, and entering the Salesian school in León.[1][3] Inspired by Saint John Bosco, he professed his first vows with the Salesians of Don Bosco on 3 September 1978, shaping his commitment to youth ministry.[2]
Raised in a humble coastal community, Fernández Artime’s early life instilled a deep connection to the poor and a passion for education, influenced by the Salesian charism. His experiences in Asturias and subsequent moves fostered a resilient faith, evident in his later global pastoral visits to over 120 countries.[4][8]
Education
Fernández Artime studied philosophy and theology at the University of Valladolid, earning a bachelor’s degree in pastoral theology and licentiates in philosophy and pedagogy.[1][2] His academic formation focused on youth ministry and education, aligning with the Salesian mission of evangelizing through schools and oratories.
His studies in Valladolid and later leadership roles in the Salesian order honed his progressive theological perspective, emphasizing synodality and accompaniment of young people. His education prepared him for roles in teaching, administration, and global outreach, including his contributions to the 2024 Synod on Synodality.[3][9]
Priesthood
Ordained a priest on 4 July 1987 by Bishop Antonio Briva Mirabent for the Diocese of León, Fernández Artime taught religion at the Santo Ángel Salesian College in Avilés, Asturias, and later directed the Salesian College in Ourense.[1][10] He served as provincial delegate for youth ministry, provincial councillor, and vice-provincial in the Salesian Province of León, becoming provincial superior from 2000 to 2006.[3]
In 2009, he was appointed superior of the Southern Argentina Province in Buenos Aires, where he collaborated with then-Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio, fostering a pastoral friendship.[8] Elected Rector Major of the Salesians on 25 March 2014, he served two terms until 16 August 2024, visiting over 120 countries to promote youth evangelization.[4][11]
Bishop
Appointed titular Archbishop of Ursona by Pope Francis on 4 April 2024, Fernández Artime was consecrated on 20 April 2024 by Cardinal Emil Paul Tscherrig in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, with Cardinals Cristóbal López Romero and Bishop Lucas Van Looy as co-consecrators.[1][12] Elevated to cardinal on 30 September 2023, he received the deaconry of Santa Maria Ausiliatrice in via Tuscolana, a historic first as a non-bishop and head of a religious order.[2][13]
On 6 January 2025, Pope Francis appointed him Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, alongside the first female prefect, Simona Brambilla.[1][4] In 2025, he led the eighth Novendiales Mass for Pope Francis, urging a “program of life” rooted in Easter joy, and is noted in X posts as a potential papal candidate, though such claims remain speculative.[5][6][7][14]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ursona | Titular Archbishop | 4 April 2024 | Present | Appointed by Pope Francis; elevated to cardinal in 2023 |
Significant events
- Professed first vows with the Salesians of Don Bosco on 3 September 1978.[1]
- Ordained priest for the Diocese of León by Bishop Antonio Briva Mirabent on 4 July 1987.[1]
- Served as provincial superior of the Salesian Province of León from 2000 to 2006.[3]
- Appointed superior of the Southern Argentina Province in Buenos Aires in 2009.[8]
- Elected Rector Major of the Salesians on 25 March 2014, re-elected in 2020.[4]
- Created cardinal by Pope Francis on 30 September 2023, with the deaconry of Santa Maria Ausiliatrice in via Tuscolana.[13]
- Appointed titular Archbishop of Ursona on 4 April 2024, consecrated on 20 April 2024.[12]
- Named Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life on 6 January 2025.[4]
- Led the eighth Novendiales Mass for Pope Francis on 3 May 2025, emphasizing Easter joy.[5][6]
- Noted in X posts as a potential papal candidate for the 2025 conclave, though speculative.[7][14]
Books
Written about the bishop
- No known books or articles specifically dedicated to Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime have been identified as of May 2025.
Written by the bishop
- No known books or publications authored by Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime have been identified as of May 2025.
External links
- Ángel Cardinal Fernández Artime, S.D.B., Catholic-Hierarchy.org
- FERNÁNDEZ ARTIME Card. Ángel, S.D.B., Vatican Press Office
- RMG – Card. Fernández Artime, New Pro-Prefect of DIVCSVA, Agenzia iNfo Salesiana
- Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime on Saturday delivered the homily, Catholic News Agency
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 "Ángel Fernández Artime". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ángel_Fernández_Artime.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Fernandez-artime.html "FERNÁNDEZ ARTIME Card. Ángel, S.D.B.". https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinal_fer Fernandez-artime.html.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, S.D.B.". 2024-11-23. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/ángel-fernández-artime.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 "RMG – Card. Fernández Artime, New Pro-Prefect of DIVCSVA: “We will accompany enthusiastically the Joys and Challenges of Consecrated Life”". 2025-01-06. https://www.infoans.org/en/sections/news/item/17273-rmg-card-fernandez-artime-new-pro-prefect-of-divcsva-we-will-accompany-enthusiastically-the-joys-and-challenges-of-consecrated-life.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime on Saturday delivered the homily during the 8th day of Novendiales Masses for Pope Francis". 2025-05-03. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260678/cardinal-angel-fernandez-artime-on-saturday-delivered-the-homily-during-the-8th-day-of-novendiales-masses-for-pope-francis.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 EWTN Vatican (2025-05-03). "@EWTNVatican: Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime presided over the 8th Novendiales Mass for Pope Francis". https://t.co/NPd8UMohym.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 La Nueva España (2025-04-27). "@lanuevaespana: In Luanco imaginan un Papa del pueblo tras escuchar que Ángel Fernández Artime está en las quinielas". https://t.co/Ezh8rqT4yb.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Quién es el cardenal Ángel Fernández Artime, proprefecto del Dicasterio para la Vida Consagrada". 2025-01-05. https://www.religiondigital.org/el_papa_de_la_semana/angel-fernandez-artime-proprefecto-dicasterio-vida-consagrada_0_2719228058.html.
- ↑ "Spain – The future Cardinal, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime: "Wherever I go and whatever I am asked to do, there will always be attention to the young"". 2023-08-04. https://www.infoans.org/en/sections/news/item/16437-spain-the-future-cardinal-fr-angel-fernandez-artime-wherever-i-go-and-whatever-i-am-asked-to-do-there-will-always-be-attention-to-the-young.
- ↑ "Ángel Cardinal Fernández Artime, S.D.B.". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bferart.html.
- ↑ "The Future Cardinal, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime". 2023-08-04. https://salesianbulletin.org/the-future-cardinal-fr-angel-fernandez-artime/.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 "RMG – Episcopal Ordinations of Card. Fernández Artime and Archbishop Giordano Piccinotti". 2024-04-20. https://www.infoans.org/en/sections/news/item/16789-rmg-episcopal-ordinations-of-card-fernandez-artime-and-archbishop-giordano-piccinotti.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 "El Papa nombra cardenal al luanquín Ángel Fernández Artime". 2023-07-09. https://www.lne.es/sociedad/2023/07/09/papa-nombra-cardenal-luanquin-angel-89657434.html.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Terra Ignota (2025-04-30). "@TerraIgnota: Cardenal Ángel Fernández Artime, España. 64 años. Fue rector mayor de los salesianos.". https://t.co/8q0EYMb5dN.
- Cargo Note**: The infobox field `home_diocese` is likely defined as a "Page" type in the
Stored: Ángel Fernández Artime, Ángel Fernández Artime
| Ángel Fernández Artime | |
| Bishop of | |
| Home diocese: | |
| Other diocese 1: | |
| Other diocese 2: | |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | |
| Consecration: | |
| Rank: | |
| Created cardinal: | |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | [[]] |
| Education: | |
| Motto: | |
| Role: | |
| Theology: | |
| Region: | |
| Rite: | |
| Conclave Eligibility: | |
Cargo infobox, which may cause automatic linking to Diocese of León in the rendered output due to Cargo’s default behavior. To fully suppress links, the Cargo table schema may need to use "String" field types, or the template may require display parameters (e.g., |home_diocese_display=Diocese of León). Without access to the template’s code, plain text values are used as requested, but linking may persist unless the template is modified.