Álvaro Leonel Ramazzini Imeri

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Stored: Álvaro Leonel Ramazzini Imeri

His Eminence Álvaro Leonel Ramazzini Imeri
Bishop of Diocese of Huehuetenango
Home diocese: Diocese of Huehuetenango
Other diocese 1: Diocese of San Marcos
Other diocese 2:
Other diocese 3:
Ordination: 29 June 1971 by Archbishop Próspero Penados del Barrio
Consecration: 6 January 1989 by Pope John Paul II
Rank: Cardinal
Created cardinal: 5 October 2019 by Pope Francis
Personal details
Born: Álvaro Leonel Ramazzini Imeri
16 July 1947
Guatemala City, Guatemala
Died:
Nationality: Guatemalan
Education: Pontifical Gregorian University, Major Seminary of Guatemala
Motto: "Omnes Cum Petro" (All With Peter)
Role: Diocesan
Theology: Moderate
Region: Latin America
Rite: Roman Rite
Conclave Eligibility: Eligible


Cardinal Álvaro Leonel Ramazzini Imeri, born (1947-07-16) July 16, 1947 (age 78), is a Guatemalan prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, serving as Bishop of Huehuetenango since 2012 and previously as Bishop of San Marcos (1988–2012).[1] Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2019, Ramazzini is renowned for his advocacy for indigenous rights, land reform, and social justice, often criticizing systemic poverty and U.S. immigration policies, which earned him death threats and the 2011 Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award.[2] His motto, “Omnes Cum Petro” (All With Peter), reflects his commitment to Church unity and solidarity with the marginalized, as seen in his 2023 call for humane U.S. border policies and his leadership in Guatemala’s Catholic social teaching.[3] At 77, Ramazzini is one of 13 Latin American cardinal-electors in the 2025 papal conclave, starting May 7, representing Guatemala after attending Pope Francis’ funeral rites in April 2025.[4]

Ordained a priest in 1971, Ramazzini has served in various Guatemalan dioceses, focusing on the poor and indigenous communities, and holds roles in the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life and the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.[5] His outspoken critiques of Guatemala’s economic disparities and environmental exploitation, particularly in mining, have drawn both admiration and threats, requiring security measures since 2005.[6] In April 2025, he traveled to Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral, joining over 130 cardinals in pre-conclave meetings to discuss the Church’s future, marking a historic moment for Guatemala’s representation in the global Church.[4] His alignment with Francis’ emphasis on the peripheries positions him as a voice for social justice in the conclave.[7]

Biography

Birth and early life

Álvaro Leonel Ramazzini Imeri was born on July 16, 1947, in Guatemala City, Guatemala, to a middle-class family.[1] Raised in a Catholic environment, he attended local schools before entering the Major Seminary of Guatemala at age 17, discerning a priestly vocation.[2] His early exposure to Guatemala’s social inequalities, particularly among indigenous Maya communities, shaped his lifelong advocacy for the marginalized.[6]

Growing up during Guatemala’s civil war (1960–1996), Ramazzini witnessed systemic violence and poverty, influencing his commitment to social justice.[3] His family’s support for education fostered his pursuit of theological studies abroad.[7]

Education

Ramazzini studied philosophy and theology at the Major Seminary of Guatemala, earning a bachelor’s degree in theology.[1] He pursued a licentiate in canon law at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome from 1976 to 1980, focusing on Church governance and social doctrine.[2] His studies emphasized applying Catholic teaching to Latin America’s socio-economic challenges.[6]

Fluent in Spanish and conversant in indigenous languages like K’iche’ (used in pastoral work, though unconfirmed proficiency), Ramazzini’s education prepared him for leadership in Guatemala’s diverse, indigenous-majority dioceses.[3] His Roman training reinforced his alignment with Vatican II’s social justice principles.[7]

Priesthood

Ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Guatemala on June 29, 1971, by Archbishop Próspero Penados del Barrio, Ramazzini served as a parish priest in Guatemala City and rural areas, focusing on indigenous communities.[1] He was a professor and rector at the Major Seminary of Guatemala (1980–1988), forming future priests in social doctrine.[5] His ministry included advocating for land reform and workers’ rights, drawing attention from Guatemalan authorities.[6]

His priesthood coincided with Guatemala’s civil war, leading him to support displaced indigenous groups and criticize military abuses, earning him early threats.[3] By 1988, his reputation for justice advocacy led to his episcopal appointment.[7]

Bishop

Appointed Bishop of San Marcos on December 15, 1988, by Pope John Paul II, Ramazzini was consecrated on January 6, 1989, by the pope himself.[5] Named Bishop of Huehuetenango on May 14, 2012, by Pope Benedict XVI, he was elevated to cardinal on October 5, 2019, by Pope Francis, assigned the titular church of San Giovanni Evangelista a Spinaceto.[1] He received the Pacem in Terris Award in 2011 for his peace and justice work.[6]

As bishop, Ramazzini has denounced mining exploitation, supported indigenous land rights, and criticized U.S. immigration policies, notably in 2023.[3] In April 2025, he joined cardinals in Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral and conclave preparations, representing Guatemala.[4]

Diocese Role Start Date End Date Notes
Diocese of San Marcos Bishop 15 December 1988 14 May 2012 Advocated for indigenous rights
Diocese of Huehuetenango Bishop 14 May 2012 Present Elevated to cardinal in 2019

Significant events

  • Entered Major Seminary of Guatemala, 1964.[1]
  • Ordained priest for Archdiocese of Guatemala, 1971.[1]
  • Earned licentiate in canon law in Rome, 1980.[2]
  • Appointed Bishop of San Marcos, 1988.[5]
  • Received death threats for social justice advocacy, 2005.[6]
  • Awarded Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award, 2011.[6]
  • Named Bishop of Huehuetenango, 2012.[1]
  • Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis, 2019.[1]
  • Criticized U.S. immigration policies, 2023.[3]
  • Attended Pope Francis’ funeral and conclave preparations, 2025.[4]

Books

Written about the bishop

  • No specific biographies dedicated to Cardinal Ramazzini were identified.

Written by the bishop

  • No books authored by Cardinal Ramazzini were identified. He has issued pastoral letters and statements through the Diocese of Huehuetenango, but no published books are documented.

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 "Álvaro Ramazzini Imeri". Wikipedia. 2019-09-01. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%81lvaro_Ramazzini_Imeri. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Cardinal Álvaro Ramazzini Imeri". Vatican Press. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinals_bio_ramazzini-imeri_a.html. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 "Guatemalan cardinal calls for compassionate US immigration policy". Catholic News Agency. 2023-10-25. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/255803/guatemalan-cardinal-alvaro-ramazzini-calls-for-compassionate-us-immigration-policy. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "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. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Álvaro Leonel Cardinal Ramazzini Imeri". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bramazz.html. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 "Guatemalan Bishop Ramazzini named cardinal by Pope Francis". National Catholic Reporter. 2019-09-03. https://www.ncronline.org/news/guatemalan-bishop-ramazzini-named-cardinal-pope-francis. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 "Álvaro Ramazzini". Wikipedia (Spanish). 2019-10-05. https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%81lvaro_Ramazzini. 
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