Augusto Paolo Lojudice
Stored: Augusto Paolo Lojudice
| His Eminence Augusto Paolo Lojudice | |
| Bishop of Archdiocese of Siena-Colle di Val d'Elsa-Montalcino | |
| Home diocese: | Archdiocese of Siena-Colle di Val d'Elsa-Montalcino |
| Other diocese 1: | Diocese of Montepulciano-Chiusi-Pienza |
| Other diocese 2: | Diocese of Rome (Auxiliary) |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 6 May 1989 by Cardinal Ugo Poletti |
| Consecration: | 23 May 2015 by Cardinal Agostino Vallini |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 28 November 2020 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Augusto Paolo Lojudice 1 July 1964 Rome, Italy |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | Italian |
| Education: | Pontifical Roman Major Seminary, Pontifical Gregorian University |
| Motto: | "Mihi Fecistis" (You Did It to Me) |
| Role: | Diocesan |
| Theology: | Moderate |
| Region: | Western Europe |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Eligible |
Cardinal Augusto Paolo Lojudice, born July 1, 1964, is an Italian prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, serving as Archbishop of Siena-Colle di Val d'Elsa-Montalcino since 2019 and Bishop of Montepulciano-Chiusi-Pienza since 2022, united *in persona episcopi*.[1] Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2020, Lojudice is known as the “street priest” for his work with immigrants, Roma communities, and the poor in Rome’s challenging neighborhoods, a mission he continues in Siena through advocacy for marginalized groups.[2] His motto, “Mihi Fecistis” (You Did It to Me, Matthew 25:40), reflects his commitment to serving the least, a principle he emphasized in 2025 when addressing youth at Pope Francis’ funeral, noting its significance as a moment of faith.[3] At 60, Lojudice is one of 39 European cardinal-electors in the 2025 papal conclave, starting May 7, bringing his pastoral experience to the global Church.[4]
Ordained a priest in 1989, Lojudice served as auxiliary bishop of Rome (2015–2019), overseeing southern Rome and Ostia, before his appointment as archbishop.[5] As secretary (2015–2021) and member of the Italian Episcopal Conference’s Commission on Migration, he has denounced anti-immigrant sentiment, asserting that “most Romans have a fundamentally charitable attitude.”[2] His 2024 election as president of the Tuscan Episcopal Conference and 2023 appointment as a Vatican Court of Cassation judge highlight his growing influence.[3] Lojudice’s close relationship with Pope Francis, forged during a 2015 Roma gathering, underscores his alignment with Francis’ vision of a Church for the poor.[6]
Biography
Birth and early life
Augusto Paolo Lojudice was born on July 1, 1964, in Rome, Italy, to parents of Pugliese descent from Palombaio, Bitonto.[3] His father was a painter, and his mother a postal service manager.[3] Raised in Rome’s Torre Maura neighborhood, he engaged with youth and ecclesial groups at Nostra Signora del Suffragio parish, fostering his vocation alongside the Suore Minime di Nostra Signora del Suffragio.[3] His early involvement in Rome’s peripheries shaped his lifelong commitment to the marginalized.[2]
After earning a classical high school diploma in 1983 from Liceo San Benedetto da Norcia, Lojudice entered the Pontifical Roman Major Seminary at age 19, drawn to priesthood through parish ministry.[1] His Roman roots and exposure to urban poverty influenced his pastoral approach.[6]
Education
Lojudice studied philosophy and theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University from 1983 to 1988, earning a licentiate in theology with a specialization in fundamental theology.[1] His studies at the Pontifical Roman Major Seminary focused on pastoral ministry and evangelization, preparing him for service in Rome’s diverse communities.[5]
Fluent in Italian, Lojudice’s academic formation emphasized applying theology to social challenges, a foundation for his later work with immigrants and the poor.[2] His education aligned with Pope Francis’ call for a Church engaged with the peripheries.[6]
Priesthood
Ordained a priest on May 6, 1989, by Cardinal Ugo Poletti for the Diocese of Rome, Lojudice served as parochial vicar at Santa Maria del Buon Consiglio (1989–1992) and San Vigilio (1992–1997).[1] He was pastor of Santa Maria Madre del Redentore in Tor Bella Monaca (1997–2005), a marginalized neighborhood, earning the nickname “street priest.”[2] From 2005 to 2014, he was spiritual director at the Pontifical Roman Major Seminary, and in 2014, pastor of San Luca Evangelista al Prenestino-Labicano.[5]
His priesthood focused on the poor, Roma communities, and youth, notably organizing a 2015 Roma baptism with Pope Francis.[6] Lojudice’s ministry emphasized synodality, seeking solutions with communities rather than imposing them.[2]
Bishop
Appointed auxiliary bishop of Rome and titular bishop of Alba Maritima on March 6, 2015, by Pope Francis, Lojudice was consecrated on May 23, 2015, by Cardinal Agostino Vallini.[1] Named Archbishop of Siena-Colle di Val d’Elsa-Montalcino on May 6, 2019, he was installed on June 16, 2019, and appointed Bishop of Montepulciano-Chiusi-Pienza on July 21, 2022, uniting the sees *in persona episcopi*.[5] Elevated to cardinal on November 28, 2020, he received the titular church of Santa Maria del Buon Consiglio.[1]
As archbishop, Lojudice has championed migrants, served as secretary of the Italian Episcopal Conference’s Commission on Migration (2015–2021), and became president of the Tuscan Episcopal Conference in 2024.[3] He participates in the 2025 conclave, representing Siena’s first cardinal since 1801.[4]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diocese of Rome | Auxiliary Bishop | 6 March 2015 | 6 May 2019 | Titular Bishop of Alba Maritima, oversaw southern Rome and Ostia |
| Archdiocese of Siena-Colle di Val d'Elsa-Montalcino | Archbishop | 6 May 2019 | Present | Elevated to cardinal in 2020, first Siena cardinal since 1801 |
| Diocese of Montepulciano-Chiusi-Pienza | Bishop | 21 July 2022 | Present | United *in persona episcopi* with Siena |
Significant events
- Entered Pontifical Roman Major Seminary, 1983.[1]
- Ordained priest for Diocese of Rome, 1989.[1]
- Became pastor of Santa Maria Madre del Redentore, 1997.[1]
- Appointed spiritual director at Pontifical Roman Major Seminary, 2005.[1]
- Named auxiliary bishop of Rome, 2015.[1]
- Organized Roma baptism with Pope Francis, 2015.[6]
- Appointed Archbishop of Siena-Colle di Val d’Elsa-Montalcino, 2019.[1]
- Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis, 2020.[1]
- Named member of Congregation for Bishops, 2020.[1]
- Appointed Bishop of Montepulciano-Chiusi-Pienza, 2022.[1]
- Named judge of Vatican Court of Cassation, 2023.[3]
- Elected president of Tuscan Episcopal Conference, 2024.[3]
- Addressed youth at Pope Francis’ funeral, 2025.[3]
Books
Written about the bishop
- No specific biographies dedicated to Cardinal Lojudice were identified.
Written by the bishop
- No books authored by Cardinal Lojudice were identified. He has issued pastoral letters and statements through the Archdiocese of Siena-Colle di Val d'Elsa-Montalcino, but no published books are documented.
External links
- Augusto Paolo Lojudice
- Biography of Cardinal Augusto Paolo Lojudice
- Vatican Biography of Cardinal Augusto Paolo Lojudice
References
- ↑ 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 "Augusto Paolo Lojudice". Wikipedia. 2015-12-29. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augusto_Paolo_Lojudice.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "Cardinal Augusto Paolo Lojudice". The College of Cardinals Report. 2024-11-23. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/cardinal-augusto-paolo-lojudice/.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 "Augusto Paolo Lojudice". Wikipedia (Italian). 2025-04-22. https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augusto_Paolo_Lojudice.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "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.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Cardinal Augusto Paolo Lojudice". Vatican Press. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinals_bio_lojudice_ap.html.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 "Augusto Paolo Lojudice". La Croix. 2020-11-27. https://cardinaux.la-croix.com/augusto-paolo-lojudice/.