Marcello Semeraro
Stored: Marcello Semeraro
| His Eminence Marcello Semeraro | |
| Bishop of | |
| Home diocese: | Diocese of Albano |
| Other diocese 1: | Diocese of Otranto |
| Other diocese 2: | |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 8 September 1971 by Bishop Antonio Rosario Mennonna |
| Consecration: | 29 September 1998 by Archbishop Cosmo Francesco Ruppi |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 28 November 2020 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Marcello Semeraro December 22, 1947 Monteroni di Lecce, Apulia, Italy |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | Italian |
| Education: | Pontifical Lateran University |
| Motto: | In Spiritu et Veritate |
| Role: | Curial |
| Theology: | Progressive |
| Region: | Southern Europe |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Eligible |
Marcello Semeraro, born December 22, 1947, is an Italian Catholic cardinal and Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints since 2020. A trusted adviser to Pope Francis, he was Bishop of Albano from 2004 to 2020 and Secretary of the Council of Cardinals from 2013 to 2020, aiding in Vatican governance reforms. Elevated to cardinal in 2020, he has overseen significant canonization processes, including declaring Antonio Gaudí and 167 Sri Lankan bombing victims as venerable in 2025. Within the Roman Rite, he promotes a pastoral approach to holiness, emphasizing lived faith over formalism.[1][2][3][4]
Born in Monteroni di Lecce, Apulia, Semeraro served as a theologian and bishop before his Vatican roles. In March 2025, he led a Rosary in St. Peter’s Square for Pope Francis’ health, and following the pope’s death, he resigned as Prefect in April 2025. In the 2025 papal conclave, he was drawn by lot to assist Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Farrell in the Particular Congregations, highlighting his curial influence. His advocacy for same-sex civil unions in 2016 has drawn both support for inclusivity and criticism from traditionalists.[5][6][7]
Biography
Birth and early life
Marcello Semeraro was born on December 22, 1947 in Monteroni di Lecce, Apulia, Italy, into a devout Catholic family.[1][7] Influenced by the Saint Thomas Aquinas, whose theological rigor inspired his later writings, he grew up in a region known for its vibrant Catholic traditions.[8] His early life emphasized community and faith, shaping his pastoral approach.[7]
Semeraro entered the minor seminary in Taranto at a young age, discerning a priestly vocation. His intellectual curiosity and commitment to ecclesiology emerged early, setting the stage for his theological career.[2][9]
Education
Semeraro studied at the Regional Seminary of Apulia in Molfetta, earning a bachelor’s degree in theology in 1970.[1] He pursued advanced studies at the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome, obtaining a licentiate in 1972 and a doctorate in theology in 1977, with a focus on ecclesiology.[2][7] His dissertation explored the role of the laity in the Church, reflecting his progressive leanings.[9]
His education equipped him for leadership in theological and curial contexts. As a consultor to Italy’s bishops’ conference and president of the board of the bishops’ newspaper, Avvenire, he applied his expertise to ecclesial governance.[7]
Priesthood
Ordained a priest on 8 September 1971 by Bishop Antonio Rosario Mennonna for the Diocese of Albano, Semeraro served as a parish priest and professor of ecclesiology at the Regional Seminary of Apulia.[1][10] From 1980 to 1998, he was rector of the minor seminary in Lecce and a consultor to the Italian bishops’ conference, focusing on doctrine and catechesis.[2]
His priesthood emphasized theological education and pastoral outreach. His writings on holiness and the laity, combined with his role as special secretary to the 2001 Synod of Bishops under Pope John Paul II, earned him recognition as a trusted Vatican adviser.[7][11]
Bishop
Appointed Bishop of Otranto on 25 July 1998 by Pope John Paul II, Semeraro was consecrated on 29 September 1998 by Archbishop Cosmo Francesco Ruppi.[1][10] He served as Bishop of Albano from 2004 to 2020, welcoming Pope Francis on a pastoral visit in 2019.[2] Named Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints on 15 October 2020, he became a titular bishop and resigned from Albano.[9][12] Elevated to cardinal on 28 November 2020, he received the deaconry of Santa Maria in Domnica.[1]
As Prefect, Semeraro oversaw canonization processes, including declaring Venerable Antonio Gaudí (April 2025), 167 Sri Lankan bombing victims (April 2025), and Salvo D’Acquisto (February 2025), and anticipated Pier Giorgio Frassati’s canonization in 2025.[3][4][13][14] In March 2025, he led a Rosary for Pope Francis’ health, and after the pope’s death, he resigned as Prefect in April 2025.[5][6] In the 2025 conclave, he assisted in the Particular Congregations, reflecting his curial prominence, though his 2016 support for same-sex civil unions sparked debate.[7]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Otranto | Bishop | 25 July 1998 | 1 October 2004 | Appointed by Pope John Paul II; transferred to Albano |
| Albano | Bishop | 1 October 2004 | 15 October 2020 | Appointed by Pope John Paul II; resigned to become Prefect |
| Otranto | Titular Bishop | 15 October 2020 | Present | Appointed by Pope Francis; elevated to cardinal in 2020 |
Significant events
- Entered the minor seminary in Taranto in 1960.[2]
- Ordained priest for the Diocese of Albano by Bishop Antonio Rosario Mennonna on 8 September 1971.[1]
- Appointed Bishop of Otranto by Pope John Paul II on 25 July 1998, consecrated on 29 September 1998.[1]
- Appointed Bishop of Albano on 1 October 2004, serving until 2020.[1]
- Served as special secretary to the Synod of Bishops on the role of the bishop in 2001 under Pope John Paul II.[7]
- Appointed Secretary of the Council of Cardinals by Pope Francis in April 2013, serving until 2020.[7]
- Named Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints by Pope Francis on 15 October 2020.[9]
- Created cardinal by Pope Francis on 28 November 2020, with the deaconry of Santa Maria in Domnica.[1]
- Declared Venerable Salvo D’Acquisto on 26 February 2025, celebrating a Mass in Naples on 22 March 2025.[13]
- Led a Rosary in St. Peter’s Square for Pope Francis’ health on 5 March 2025.[5]
- Declared Venerable Antonio Gaudí on 14 April 2025.[3]
- Declared 167 Sri Lankan bombing victims witnesses of faith on 21 April 2025.[4]
- Resigned as Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints in April 2025 following Pope Francis’ death.[6]
- Assisted Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Farrell in the Particular Congregations during the 2025 papal conclave.[7]
Books
Written about the bishop
- No known books or articles specifically dedicated to Cardinal Marcello Semeraro have been identified as of May 2025.
Written by the bishop
- Eucaristia, comunione e comunità, Rome, Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2007.[2]
- Mistero, missione e comunione. Per un’ecclesiologia fondamentale, Siena, Cantagalli, 2010.[2]
- La sinodalità nella vita e nella missione della Chiesa, Rome, Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2018.[2]
External links
- Marcello Cardinal Semeraro, Catholic-Hierarchy.org
- SEMERARO Card. Marcello, Vatican Press Office
- Semeraro: Que la ‘Salus Populi Romani’ sostenga al Papa Francisco, Vatican News
- Pier Giorgio Frassati could be canonized during 2025 Jubilee, cardinal says, Catholic News Agency
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 "Marcello Semeraro". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcello_Semeraro.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 "SEMERARO Card. Marcello". https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinal_semeraro.html.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "One of the Pope’s Final Moves Was to Put Architect Antonio Gaudí on the Path to Sainthood". 2025-04-26. https://www.yahoo.com/news/one-pope-final-moves-put-130000098.html.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Vatican declares 167 victims of IS-inspired bombings in Sri Lanka witnesses of faith". 2025-04-21. https://www.yahoo.com/news/vatican-declares-167-victims-inspired-074400496.html.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Semeraro: Que la ‘Salus Populi Romani’ sostenga al Papa Francisco". 2025-03-06. https://www.vaticannews.va/es/vatican-news/news/2025-03/semeraro-rosario-por-la-salud-del-papa-francisco.html.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Cardinal Semeraro resigns as Prefect following Pope Francis’ death". 2025-04-21. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260678/cardinal-semeraro-resigns-as-prefect-following-pope-francis-death.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 7.9 "Cardinal Marcello Semeraro". 2024-11-23. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/marcello-semeraro.
- ↑ "Pope Francis appoints Cardinal Marcello Semeraro as his special envoy to the 700th anniversary of the canonization of St. Thomas Aquinas". 2023-07-11. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-07/pope-francis-appoints-cardinal-semeraro-special-envoy-aquinas.html.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 "Bishop Semeraro appointed Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints". 2020-10-15. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2020-10/bishop-semeraro-appointed-prefect-congregation-saints-causes.html.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Marcello Cardinal Semeraro". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bsemeraro.html.
- ↑ "Holiness Today conference highlights modern sainthood". 2022-10-06. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/33996/pope-francis-saints-do-not-come-from-a-parallel-universe.
- ↑ "Pope Francis names new prefect of congregation for saints’ causes". 2020-10-15. https://angelusnews.com/news/vatican/pope-francis-names-new-prefect-of-congregation-for-saints-causes/.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Semeraro: Salvo D’Acquisto, ejemplo de amor a la familia". 2025-03-22. https://www.vaticannews.va/es/vatican-news/news/2025-03/semeraro-salvo-d-acquisto-ejemplo-de-amor-a-la-familia.html.
- ↑ "Pier Giorgio Frassati could be canonized during 2025 Jubilee, cardinal says". 2024-04-27. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/257498/pier-giorgio-frassati-could-be-canonized-during-2025-jubilee-cardinal-says.