Mario Aurelio Poli
Stored: Mario Aurelio Poli
| His Eminence Mario Aurelio Poli | |
| Bishop of Archdiocese of Buenos Aires (Emeritus) | |
| Home diocese: | Archdiocese of Buenos Aires |
| Other diocese 1: | Diocese of Santa Rosa |
| Other diocese 2: | |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 25 November 1978 by Cardinal Juan Carlos Aramburu |
| Consecration: | 20 April 2002 by Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 22 February 2014 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Mario Aurelio Poli 29 November 1947 Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | Argentine |
| Education: | University of Buenos Aires, Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina, Inmaculada Concepción Seminary |
| Motto: | "Concédeme, Señor, un corazón que escuche" (Grant me, Lord, a heart that listens) |
| Role: | Emeritus |
| Theology: | Moderate |
| Region: | Latin America |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Eligible |
Cardinal Mario Aurelio Poli, born November 29, 1947, is an Argentine prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, serving as Archbishop Emeritus of Buenos Aires since his resignation in 2023.[1] Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2014, Poli succeeded Francis as Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 2013, adopting a similar pastoral approach focused on the poor and interfaith dialogue, though he described himself as less politically engaged, stating, “I am a pastor, not a politician.”[2] His motto, “Concédeme, Señor, un corazón que escuche” (Grant me, Lord, a heart that listens), reflects his emphasis on attentive evangelization, notably through his leadership of the 2020–2023 Archdiocesan Synod.[3] At 77, Poli is one of four Argentine cardinal-electors in the 2025 papal conclave, starting May 7, contributing his experience in fostering dialogue.[4]
Ordained a priest in 1978, Poli served as auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires (2002–2008), Bishop of Santa Rosa (2008–2013), and Archbishop of Buenos Aires (2013–2023), while holding roles in the Congregation for the Oriental Churches and the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life.[5] His tenure included addressing poverty, opposing Argentina’s 2020 abortion legalization, and navigating a 2022 financial misconduct allegation, which was dismissed with support from 250 priests and Pope Francis.[6] Poli’s recognition of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X (FSSPX) as a Catholic association in 2015, likely with Vatican approval, marked a significant ecumenical gesture.[7]
Biography
Birth and early life
Mario Aurelio Poli was born on November 29, 1947, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Italian immigrants Mario Poli, from Tuscany, and Josefa Felisa Zambotti, an Argentine of Italian descent.[1] Raised in a Catholic family, he completed primary education at a state school and secondary education at the parish school of San Pedro Apóstol.[8] Active in the Scout movement from childhood, he later served as a national chaplain for Argentine Catholic Scouts, shaping his commitment to community service.[9]
Initially studying law and social sciences, Poli entered the Inmaculada Concepción Seminary in Villa Devoto at age 22, discerning a priestly vocation.[1] His Italian heritage and urban upbringing influenced his pastoral focus on dialogue and the marginalized.[2]
Education
Poli earned a bachelor’s degree in social services from the University of Buenos Aires and studied philosophy and theology at the Inmaculada Concepción Seminary from 1969.[1] He obtained a doctorate in theology from the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina, specializing in ecclesiastical history and patrology.[8] Since 1980, he taught ecclesiastical history at the same university, focusing on Argentina’s Catholic heritage.[2]
His education emphasized pastoral ministry and social engagement, preparing him for leadership in Buenos Aires’ diverse archdiocese.[1] Fluent in Spanish and Italian, Poli’s academic work supported his later roles in seminary formation.[9]
Priesthood
Ordained a priest on November 25, 1978, by Cardinal Juan Carlos Aramburu for the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires, Poli served as parochial vicar at San Cayetano Parish (1978–1980) and superior at the Metropolitan Seminary (1980–1987).[1] He was chaplain to the Servants of the Holy Spirit (1988–1991) and assistant to the Fraternidades y Agrupaciones Santo Tomás de Aquino (1988–1992).[4] In 1992, Cardinal Antonio Quarracino appointed him director of the San José Vocational Institute, guiding seminarians.[2]
His priesthood focused on formation, education, and pastoral care, emphasizing the Eucharist’s centrality, which he later described as transformative for believers.[2] His early ministry included opposition to same-sex marriage, aligning with Church teaching.[1]
Bishop
Appointed auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires and titular bishop of Abidda on February 8, 2002, by Pope John Paul II, Poli was consecrated on April 20, 2002, by then-Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio.[5] Named Bishop of Santa Rosa on June 24, 2008, by Pope Benedict XVI, he served until his appointment as Archbishop of Buenos Aires on March 28, 2013, by Pope Francis.[1] Elevated to cardinal on February 22, 2014, he received the titular church of San Roberto Bellarmino, previously held by Francis.[8]
As archbishop, Poli led the 2020–2023 Archdiocesan Synod, promoted interfaith dialogue, and addressed poverty, notably during a 2017 Te Deum criticizing inequality.[6] He resigned in 2023 at age 75 and participates in the 2025 conclave.[4]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archdiocese of Buenos Aires | Auxiliary Bishop | 8 February 2002 | 24 June 2008 | Titular Bishop of Abidda |
| Diocese of Santa Rosa | Bishop | 24 June 2008 | 28 March 2013 | Focused on pastoral outreach |
| Archdiocese of Buenos Aires | Archbishop | 28 March 2013 | 26 May 2023 | Elevated to cardinal in 2014, Primate of Argentina |
Significant events
- Entered Inmaculada Concepción Seminary, 1969.[1]
- Ordained priest for Archdiocese of Buenos Aires, 1978.[1]
- Appointed director of San José Vocational Institute, 1992.[2]
- Named auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires, 2002.[5]
- Appointed Bishop of Santa Rosa, 2008.[1]
- Named Archbishop of Buenos Aires, 2013.[1]
- Recognized FSSPX as Catholic association, 2015.[7]
- Criticized inequality in 2017 Te Deum, 2017.[6]
- Issued Amoris Laetitia guidelines, 2018.[2]
- Led Archdiocesan Synod, 2020–2023.[10]
- Opposed Argentina’s abortion legalization, 2020.[7]
- Cleared of financial misconduct allegations, 2022.[7]
- Resigned as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, 2023.[1]
Books
Written about the bishop
- No specific biographies dedicated to Cardinal Poli were identified.
Written by the bishop
- No books authored by Cardinal Poli were identified. He has issued pastoral letters and statements through the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires, but no published books are documented.
External links
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 "Mario Aurelio Poli". Wikipedia. 2013-03-27. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Aurelio_Poli.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "Cardinal Mario Aurelio Poli". The College of Cardinals Report. 2024-11-23. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/cardinal-mario-aurelio-poli/.
- ↑ "Mario Aurelio Poli". Wikipedia (Spanish). 2023-05-26. https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Aurelio_Poli.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "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 "Mario Aurelio Cardinal Poli". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bpoli.html.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Mgr Poli, archevêque de Buenos Aires, sermonne le président argentin". Cath.ch. 2017-05-25. https://www.cath.ch/news/mgr-poli-archeveque-de-buenos-aires-sermonne-le-president-argentin/.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 "Mario Aurelio Poli". Wikipedia (French). 2013-03-29. https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Aurelio_Poli.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Cardinal Mario Aurelio Poli". Vatican Press. 2014-02-21. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinals_bio_poli_ma.html.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Il Cardinale Mario Aurelio Poli". Vatican Press (Italian). 2014-02-21. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinals_bio_poli_ma.html.
- ↑ "Videomessage of the Holy Father to Cardinal Mario Aurelio Poli". Vatican.va. 2020-10-27. https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/pont-messages/2020/october/documents/papa-francesco_20201027_videomessaggio-sinodo-buenosaires.html.