François-Xavier Bustillo
Stored: François-Xavier Bustillo
| His Eminence François-Xavier Bustillo | |
| Bishop of Diocese of Ajaccio | |
| Home diocese: | Diocese of Ajaccio |
| Other diocese 1: | |
| Other diocese 2: | |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 10 September 1994 by Bishop André Lacrampe |
| Consecration: | 13 June 2021 by Archbishop Jean-Marc Aveline |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 30 September 2023 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Francisco-Javier Bustillo Rípodas 23 November 1968 Pamplona, Navarre, Spain |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | France |
| Education: | Institut Catholique de Toulouse |
| Motto: | "Fiat Voluntas Tua" (Thy will be done) |
| Role: | Diocesan |
| Theology: | Moderate |
| Region: | Western Europe |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Eligible |
François-Xavier Bustillo (born November 23, 1968) is a French Catholic prelate of Spanish origin, serving as the Bishop of Ajaccio in Corsica since 2021 and elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023.[1] Born in Pamplona, Spain, he joined the Conventual Franciscans at age 17, was ordained a priest in 1994, and has spent his ministry in France, where he co-founded the Saint-Bonaventure Friary in Narbonne and served as guardian of the Saint-Maximilien-Kolbe Convent in Lourdes.[2] Known for his media-savvy approach and writings on priestly vocation, including his book La vocation du prêtre face aux crises, distributed by Pope Francis in 2022, Bustillo has gained prominence for his pastoral engagement and interreligious dialogue in Corsica’s culturally distinct region.[3]
Bustillo’s rapid rise, culminating in his cardinalate at age 54, has sparked speculation about his potential as a papabile in the 2025 conclave following Pope Francis’ death, though he has emphasized his commitment to Corsica over higher ambitions.[4] His organization of Pope Francis’ visit to Ajaccio in December 2024 and his election as vice-president of the French Bishops’ Conference in April 2025 highlight his influence, yet his association with controversial Franciscan Brother Daniel-Marie Thévenet has drawn criticism.[5] Bustillo’s moderate reformist stance, aligning with Pope Francis’ vision, and his advocacy for a joyful, inclusive Church have made him a polarizing figure, celebrated for his charisma but scrutinized for his media exposure and ties to conservative media outlets.[4][6]
Biography
Birth and early life
François-Xavier Bustillo was born on 23 November 1968 in Pamplona, Navarre, Spain, as Francisco-Javier Bustillo Rípodas, the eldest of four children in a Catholic family.[1][2] His father was a career soldier, and his mother was a homemaker, with several relatives in religious vocations influencing his early faith.[3] At age 10, he chose to attend the minor seminary in Baztan, Navarre, near the French border, rather than a local school, a decision driven by his emerging sense of vocation.[2]
Raised in the village of Arre near Pamplona, Bustillo grew up in a devout environment shaped by Spanish Catholic traditions.[7] His early education at the seminary in Baztan and later at the Colegio de Lecároz fostered his academic and spiritual development, leading him to join the Conventual Franciscans in Padua, Italy, at age 17.[7] This cross-cultural upbringing laid the foundation for his later ministry in France’s secular and diverse context.[3]
Education
François-Xavier Bustillo began his religious formation in 1985 with the Conventual Franciscans in Padua, Italy, where he studied philosophy and theology at the Istituto Teologico Sant’Antonio Dottore.[2] He completed his theological studies in 1997, earning a licentiate in theology from the Institut Catholique de Toulouse, France, which equipped him for pastoral and intellectual engagement in a secularizing society.[1][2]
His education emphasized Franciscan spirituality and pastoral theology, with a focus on authentic witness in modern contexts.[8] Bustillo’s studies in Toulouse, combined with his experiences in Italy and Spain, shaped his moderate reformist approach, emphasizing dialogue and inclusivity, as reflected in his later writings and ministry.[8]
Priesthood
Ordained a priest on 10 September 1994 by Bishop André Lacrampe for the Conventual Franciscans, François-Xavier Bustillo began his ministry in France, co-founding the Saint-Bonaventure Friary in Narbonne in 1994, where he served as guardian (1994–2018) and pastor of the Saint-Bonaventure Church (1994–2007).[1][7] He later served as provincial custos of the Provincial Custody of St. Bonaventure in France and Belgium and guardian of the Saint-Maximilien-Kolbe Convent in Lourdes (2018–2021).[2]
Bustillo’s priesthood focused on pastoral authenticity and community-building, particularly in secularized France.[3] His book, La vocation du prêtre face aux crises: La fidélité créatrice (2021), addressed challenges facing priests, earning papal recognition when Pope Francis distributed its Italian translation in 2022.[3] His leadership in Narbonne and Lourdes emphasized youth engagement and reconciliation, though his ties to Brother Daniel-Marie Thévenet, criticized for charismatic excesses, sparked controversy.[5]
Bishop
Appointed Bishop of Ajaccio by Pope Francis on 11 May 2021, François-Xavier Bustillo was consecrated on 13 June 2021 by Archbishop Jean-Marc Aveline, with Archbishops Olivier de Germay and Nicolas Brouwet as co-consecrators.[1] Elevated to cardinal-priest of Santa Maria Immacolata di Lourdes a Boccea on 30 September 2023, he became the first Ajaccio bishop to receive this honor, at age 54.[2][7] His episcopal ministry has focused on fostering a joyful, inclusive Church in Corsica, addressing local tensions through dialogue and promoting popular religiosity.[4]
Bustillo’s organization of Pope Francis’ visit to Ajaccio in December 2024 for a symposium on Mediterranean religiosity showcased his media acumen, though it stirred debate within France due to the Pope’s absence from Notre-Dame’s reopening.[6] Elected vice-president of the French Bishops’ Conference in April 2025, he advocates for unity and reform, but his media ties to conservative outlets like Paris Match and Fayard, owned by Vincent Bolloré, and his response to the Thévenet controversy have drawn scrutiny.[4][5] His papabile status, noted in 2025 conclave discussions, reflects his alignment with Francis’ vision, though he prioritizes his Corsican mission.[6]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diocese of Ajaccio | Diocesan Bishop | 11 May 2021 | Present | Elevated to cardinal in 2023; first Ajaccio bishop to receive this honor |
Significant events
- Entered the Conventual Franciscans in Padua, Italy, in 1985.[2]
- Ordained priest on 10 September 1994.[1]
- Co-founded the Saint-Bonaventure Friary in Narbonne in 1994.[7]
- Published La vocation du prêtre face aux crises: La fidélité créatrice in 2021, distributed by Pope Francis in 2022.[3]
- Appointed Bishop of Diocese of Ajaccio in 2021.[1]
- Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023.[2]
- Organized Pope Francis’ visit to Ajaccio for the Mediterranean Religiosity Symposium in December 2024.[6]
- Elected vice-president of the French Bishops’ Conference in April 2025.[6]
- Cited as a potential papabile for the 2025 papal conclave.[6]
Books
Written about the bishop
- White, Christopher (1 October 2023). "Cardinal Bustillo: A Rising Star in Corsica". https://www.ncregister.com/interview/cardinal-bustillo-corsica.
- Dupont, Jean-Pierre (24 November 2024). "Mgr François-Xavier Bustillo, l’évêque superstar qui va recevoir le pape en Corse" (in fr). https://www.lepoint.fr/societe/mgr-francois-xavier-bustillo-l-eveque-superstar-qui-va-recevoir-le-pape-en-corse-24-11-2024-2575721_23.php.
- Renucci, Marc-Antoine (17 December 2024). "Jusqu’où ira le cardinal François-Xavier Bustillo ?" (in fr). https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/corse/corse-du-sud/ajaccio/jusqu-ou-ira-le-cardinal-francois-xavier-bustillo-3152763.html.
- Martin, Claude (15 September 2023). "Les étranges amis du néo-cardinal Bustillo" (in fr). https://www.golias-editions.fr/2023/09/15/les-etranges-amis-du-neo-cardinal-bustillo/.
Written by the bishop
- Bustillo, François (2013) (in it). La fraternità pasquale. Raccontare la vita comunitaria. Padua: EMP. ISBN 978-8825033953. https://www.amazon.it/Fraternit%C3%A0-pasquale-Raccontare-vita-comunitaria/dp/8825033958.
- Bustillo, François (2021) (in fr). La vocation du prêtre face aux crises: La fidélité créatrice. Bruyères-le-Châtel: Nouvelle Cité. ISBN 978-2375822425. https://www.amazon.fr/vocation-pr%C3%AAtre-face-aux-crises/dp/2375822423.
- Bustillo, François (2022) (in fr). Passons sur l’autre rive: Vers une vie religieuse renouvelée. Bruyères-le-Châtel: Nouvelle Cité. ISBN 978-2375822876. https://www.amazon.fr/Passons-sur-lautre-rive-religieuse/dp/2375822870.
- Bustillo, François; Peña Parra, Edgar (2023) (in fr). Le cœur ne se divise pas. Preface by Pope Francis. Paris: Fayard. ISBN 978-2213723457. https://www.amazon.fr/coeur-ne-se-divise-pas/dp/2213723451.
External links
- François-Xavier Cardinal Bustillo, O.F.M. Conv. at Catholic-Hierarchy.org
- Biography of Cardinal François-Xavier Bustillo at Diocese of Ajaccio
- Pope Francis Visits Ajaccio with Cardinal Bustillo at Vatican News
- Cardinal François-Xavier Bustillo, O.F.M. Conv. at Vatican Press
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Cheney, David M.. "François-Xavier Cardinal Bustillo, O.F.M. Conv.". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bustfx.html.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 "Cardinal François-Xavier Bustillo, O.F.M. Conv.". 9 July 2023. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2023/07/09/230709a.html.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 White, Christopher (1 October 2023). "Cardinal Bustillo: A Rising Star in Corsica". https://www.ncregister.com/interview/cardinal-bustillo-corsica.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Dupont, Jean-Pierre (24 November 2024). "Mgr François-Xavier Bustillo, l’évêque superstar qui va recevoir le pape en Corse" (in fr). https://www.lepoint.fr/societe/mgr-francois-xavier-bustillo-l-eveque-superstar-qui-va-recevoir-le-pape-en-corse-24-11-2024-2575721_23.php.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Martin, Claude (15 September 2023). "Les étranges amis du néo-cardinal Bustillo" (in fr). https://www.golias-editions.fr/2023/09/15/les-etranges-amis-du-neo-cardinal-bustillo/.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Renucci, Marc-Antoine (17 December 2024). "Jusqu’où ira le cardinal François-Xavier Bustillo ?" (in fr). https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/corse/corse-du-sud/ajaccio/jusqu-ou-ira-le-cardinal-francois-xavier-bustillo-3152763.html.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 "Rome: Cardinalate of Friar François-Xavier BUSTILLO". 3 October 2023. https://www.ofmconv.net/en/roma-cardinalato-di-fra-francois-xavier-bustillo/.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Cardinal François-Xavier Bustillo, O.F.M. Conv.". 23 November 2024. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/francois-xavier-bustillo.