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António Augusto dos Santos Marto

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Stored: António Augusto dos Santos Marto

His Eminence António Augusto dos Santos Marto
Bishop of Diocese of Leiria-Fátima
Home diocese: Diocese of Vila Real
Other diocese 1: Diocese of Viseu
Other diocese 2: Archdiocese of Braga
Other diocese 3:
Ordination: 7 November 1971 by Archbishop Américo Henriques
Consecration: 20 September 1998 by Archbishop Eurico Dias Nogueira
Rank: Cardinal
Created cardinal: 28 June 2018 by Pope Francis
Personal details
Born: António Augusto dos Santos Marto
5 May 1947
Tronco, Chaves, Portugal
Died:
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
Conclave Eligibility: Eligible


Cardinal António Augusto dos Santos Marto, born (1947-05-05) May 5, 1947 (age 78), 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.[1] 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.[2] 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.[3] 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.[4][5]

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.[1] 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.[3] 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.[4] His theological expertise and pastoral experience position him as a respected voice, though his age and emeritus status temper papabile speculation.[6]

Biography

Birth and early life

António Augusto dos Santos Marto was born on May 5, 1947, in Tronco, Chaves, Portugal, to Serafim Augusto Marto, a Fiscal Guard, and Maria da Purificação Correia dos Santos, a schoolteacher.[1] The youngest of four siblings, two died in childhood, leaving one sister who later married.[3] Raised in a devout Catholic family, he was inspired by his parish priest and expressed a desire for priesthood at age 10, overcoming his father’s preference for a military career.[1]

Growing up in rural Portugal, Marto’s faith was shaped by his family’s piety and the local church’s community esteem.[2] His early resolve to serve the Church persisted despite personal tragedies.[3]

Education

Marto studied humanities at the Minor Seminary of Vila Real and theology at the Major Seminary of Porto, transferred there in 1968.[1] He earned a doctorate in systematic theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome in 1977, with a thesis on “Christian Hope and the Future of Man: Eschatological Doctrine of Vatican II,” studying under Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger.[7] He also attended the Catholic University of Portugal.[8]

Fluent in Portuguese, Italian, and likely English (used in Vatican roles, though unconfirmed), his education focused on Vatican II’s pastoral and eschatological vision.[2] His academic rigor earned him teaching roles in Porto.[7]

Priesthood

Ordained a priest for the Diocese of Vila Real on November 7, 1971, in Rome by Archbishop Américo Henriques, Marto served as a formator at Porto’s Major Seminary (1977–2000) and taught theology at the Catholic University of Portugal, where he was vice-director.[1] Influenced by the French worker-priest movement, he worked in a metalworking factory for a year to understand industrial workers’ challenges.[1] His ministry emphasized vocational formation and ecumenism.[8]

His priesthood included conferences, publications, and commissions, reflecting his theological expertise.[7] His worker-priest experience shaped his empathy for the working class.[3]

Bishop

Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Braga and Titular Bishop of Bladia on November 10, 2000, by Pope John Paul II, Marto was consecrated on February 11, 2001, by Archbishop Eurico Dias Nogueira.[9] Named Bishop of Viseu in 2004 and Leiria-Fátima in 2006, he was elevated to cardinal in 2018, assigned the titular church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva.[1] He retired as bishop in 2022, becoming emeritus.[10]

As bishop, Marto oversaw Fátima’s 2017 centenary, canonized the Marto children, and promoted synodality in 2024.[2] In 2025, he joined conclave preparations, advocating for Francis’ legacy.[4]

Diocese Role Start Date End Date Notes
Archdiocese of Braga Auxiliary Bishop 10 November 2000 22 April 2004 Titular Bishop of Bladia
Diocese of Viseu Bishop 22 April 2004 22 April 2006 President, Ecumenism Commission
Diocese of Leiria-Fátima Bishop 22 April 2006 28 January 2022 Elevated to cardinal in 2018; retired as emeritus

Significant events

  • Entered Minor Seminary of Vila Real, 1957.[1]
  • Ordained priest for Vila Real, 1971.[1]
  • Earned doctorate in theology, 1977.[1]
  • Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Braga, 2000.[1]
  • Named Bishop of Viseu, 2004.[1]
  • Appointed Bishop of Leiria-Fátima, 2006.[1]
  • Awarded Grand Cross, Order of Christ, 2010.[7]
  • Oversaw Fátima centenary and canonization, 2017.[2]
  • Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis, 2018.[1]
  • Awarded Grand Cross, Order of Prince Henry, 2022.[7]
  • Rejected COVID-19 as divine punishment, 2020.[3]
  • Consecrated 26 countries to Sacred Heart, 2020.[3]
  • Criticized Traditionalist Communion petition, 2020.[3]
  • Retired as Bishop Emeritus of Leiria-Fátima, 2022.[10]
  • Advocated for synodality, 2024.[4]
  • Attended Pope Francis’ funeral and conclave preparations, 2025.[5]

Books

Written about the bishop

  • No specific biographies dedicated to Cardinal Marto were identified.

Written by the bishop

  • Marto, António. Esperança cristã e futuro do homem. Doutrina escatológica do Concílio Vaticano II. [Christian Hope and the Future of Man: Eschatological Doctrine of Vatican II]. Doctoral dissertation, 1977. No published book version identified.
  • Marto, António. Cardeal D. António Marto: Teólogo e Pastor. [Cardinal D. António Marto: Theologian and Pastor]. Edited by Jorge Guarda. Leiria: Diocese of Leiria-Fátima, 2022. A collection of pastoral letters and writings. Available at Amazon.

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 "António Marto". Wikipedia. 2018-05-20. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ant%C3%B3nio_Marto. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Collège cardinalice : Mgr Antonio dos Santos Marto, évêque de Leiria-Fátima, futur cardinal". ZENIT. 2018-06-01. https://fr.zenit.org/2018/06/01/college-cardinalice-mgr-antonio-dos-santos-marto-eveque-de-leiria-fatima-futur-cardinal/. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 "António Marto". Wikiwand. https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Ant%C3%B3nio_Marto. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "Cardinal António Marto says there is no room for regression in the Church". Portugal Pulse. 2025-04-22. https://www.portugalpulse.com/cardinal-antonio-marto-says-there-is-no-room-for-regression-in-the-church/. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "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. 
  6. ↑ "Post by @Leiria_Fatima". X. 2025-04-28. https://t.co/kTr7m6bfMb. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 "António Marto". Wikipedia (Portuguese). 2006-04-23. https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ant%C3%B3nio_Marto. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Antonio dos Santos Marto". Wikipedia (French). 2018-05-22. https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_dos_Santos_Marto. 
  9. ↑ "António Augusto Cardinal dos Santos Marto". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bmarto.html. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Pope Francis accepts resignation of Cardinal António Marto". Catholic World Report. 2022-01-28. https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2022/01/28/pope-francis-accepts-resignation-of-cardinal-antonio-marto/. 
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