Angelo De Donatis

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Angelo De Donatis (born 4 January 1954) is an Italian

His Excellency, The Most Reverend
Catholic prelate who currently serves as Vicar General of
Rome, Archpriest of the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, Angelo De Donatis
and Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical Lateran University. Vicar General of His Holiness
He is the first person since the sixteenth century to be Archpriest of St. John Lateran
appointed Vicar General of Rome who is not a cardinal,
Diocese Rome
instead holding the rank of archbishop.[1]
Appointed 26 May 2017
Installed 29 June 2017
Contents Predecessor Agostino Vallini
Other posts Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical
1 Biography Lateran University,
1.1 Priestly ministry
1.2 Episcopal ministry Titular Bishop of Mottola
2 Coat of arms Orders
2.1 Blazon
Ordination 12 April 1980
2.2 Episcopal motto
2.3 Interpretation by Antonio Rosario Mennonna
3 See also Consecration 9 November 2015
4 Notes by Pope Francis
5 References
6 External links Rank Archbishop
Personal details
Born 4 January 1954
Biography Casarano, Lecce, Apulia, Italy
Nationality Italian
Angelo De Donatis was born on 4 January 1954 in Casarano,
a comune in the Province of Lecce and the Italian region of Denomination Roman Catholic
Apulia. He was educated at the seminary of Taranto and the Motto Latin: Nihil caritate dulcius
Pontifical Roman Major Seminary. While in Rome, he (Nothing is sweeter than love)
studied philosophy at the Pontifical Lateran University and
theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University, where he Styles of
earned a Licentiate of Sacred Theology in moral theology.[2]
Angelo De Donatis
Priestly ministry

On 12 April 1980, De Donatis was ordained a priest in the

Church of San Domenico in Casarano in the Diocese of
Nard-Gallipoli by Bishop Antonio Rosario Mennonna. He
then taught religion at the Church of San Saturnino in Rome,
Reference style
of which he later became vicar. He was incardinated in the His Excellency
Diocese of Rome on 28 November 1983.[2] The Most Reverend
From 1989 to 1991, De Donatis was the archivist of the
Secretary of the Sacred College of Cardinals.[3] He became Spoken style Your Excellency
the spiritual director of the Pontifical Roman Major Religious style Archbishop
Seminary, where he served until 2003, when he was
appointed a parish priest at the Basilica of San Marco Ordination history of Angelo De Donatis
Evangelista al Campidoglio in Rome[4] and an assistant for
the National Association of Relatives of Clergy.[5] He also Priestly ordination
served as the director of the clergy of the Vicariate of Rome Ordained by Antonio Rosario Mennonna
from 1990 to 1996. He then became a member of the pastoral Date of ordination 12 April 1980
council and the college of consultors of the Diocese of
Rome.[3] Place of ordination Diocese of Nard-Gallipoli

Episcopal consecration
De Donatis was admitted as a knight to the Equestrian Order
of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in 1989. On 10 April Principal Pope Francis
1990, he was appointed a Chaplain of His Holiness, consecrator
receiving the title of monsignor.[6] In 2017 he was a spiritual Co-consecrators Agostino Vallini,
assistant to the Don Andrea Santoro Association, which
Beniamino Stella
marks the anniversary of the assassination in Turkey in 2006
of Andrea Santoro, an Italian priest and seminary classmate Date of consecration 9 November 2015
of De Donatis.[7] De Donatis has maintained a connection Place of consecration Archbasilica of St. John
with his hometown by leading spiritual exercises annually Lateran, Rome
during the summer at the Crypt of the Crucifix in
Casarano.[8]

He was among seven Roman priests chosen by Archbishop Giovanni Angelo Becciu to eat lunch with Pope
Francis after the chrism mass in 2013, just two weeks after the Pope's election.[9] In October 2013, Pope
Francis, who had met De Donatis only once at that lunch, chose him to preach the 2014 Lenten spiritual
exercises of the Roman Curia, an assignment that for fifty years had been given to a cardinal or well known
theologian.[9][2]

Episcopal ministry

De Donatis was appointed by Pope Francis on 14 September

Episcopal lineage of
2015 the Titular Bishop of Mottola (succeeding Bernard
Joseph McLaughlin) and an Auxiliary Bishop of Rome, Archbishop Angelo De Donatis
where he was responsible for the training of the clergy.[11] Genealogy
He was consecrated a bishop in the Archbasilica of St. John
Lateran on 9 November 2015, the feast date of the dedication Earlier lineage is unknown
of the basilica. Pope Francis acted as his principal Cardinal Scipione Rebiba (1541)
consecrator, while Cardinal Agostino Vallini, the Vicar Cardinal Giulio Antonio Santorio (1566)
General of Rome, and Cardinal Beniamino Stella, the Prefect
Cardinal Girolamo Bernerio (1586)
of the Congregation for the Clergy, acted as co-consecrators.
Archbishop Galeazzo Sanvitale (1604)
Among the other concelebrants were five auxiliary bishops
of Rome. Assisting were Msgr. Luciano Pascucci, director of Cardinal Ludovico Ludovisi (1621)
the Clerical Office of the Roman Vicariate, and Fr. Antonio Cardinal Luigi Caetani (1622)
Schito, pastor of De Donatis' hometown parish of San Cardinal Ulderico Carpegna (1630)
Domenico in Casarano. Upon being made a bishop, De Cardinal Paluzzo Paluzzi Altieri degli
Donatis adopted his coat of arms with the episcopal motto Albertoni (1666)
"nihil caritate dulcius", a phrase taken from Saint Ambrose, Pope Benedict XIII (1675)
which translates from the Latin as "nothing is sweeter than Pope Benedict XIV (1724)
love."[12] Pope Clement XIII (1743)
On 29 April 2016, De Donatis was appointed the rector of Cardinal Bernardino Giraud (1767)
the Church of San Sebastiano al Palatino in Rome. On 6 June Cardinal Alessandro Mattei (1777)
of that year, he oversaw the jubilee of priests during the Cardinal Pietro Francesco Galleffi (1819)
Extraordinary Jubilee of 2016 in the Diocese of Rome and Cardinal Giacomo Filippo Fransoni (1822)
was involved in the organization of the jubilee activities in Cardinal Carlo Sacconi (1851)
the Diocese of Trapani. He also lead the Confessio Vitae Cardinal Edward Henry Howard (1872)
during the jubilee year in the Archdiocese of Milan.[13] Cardinal Mariano Rampolla (1882)
Cardinal Antonio Vico (1898)
Archbishop Filippo Cortesi (1921)
In September 2016, De Donatis published Nulla pi dolce Archbishop Zenobio Lorenzo Guilland
dell'amore (Nothing is Sweeter than Love), a collection of (1935)
twenty reflections on the various forms of mercy as Bishop Anunciado Serafini (1935)
interpreted through the Bible.[14]
Cardinal Antonio Quarracino (1962)
On 26 May 2017, having accepted the resignation of Pope Francis (1992)
Cardinal Agostino Vallini, Pope Francis appointed De Archbishop Angelo De Donatis (consecrated
Donatis the Vicar General of Rome and Archpriest of the 2015)
Archbasilica of St. John Lateran,[15] elevating him as well to
the rank of archbishop.[16][17][3] The Vicar General serves as Source(s): [10]
de facto bishop of Rome on behalf of the pope. De Donatis is
the first person since the sixteenth century to be named Vicar General when not a cardinal.[1][a] As Vicar
General he serves, ex officio as Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical Lateran University.[22]

Coat of arms
Blazon

Tierced inverted pall: in the first, red division of the field is contained a
winged lion with a halo, with the head front-facing, while crouching and
holding with its front legs in front of its chest a golden book bearing in
black, capital letters PAX TIBI MARCE in four rows on the first side, and
EVANGELISTA MEUS in four rows on the second side. In the second,
blue division is a charge of a silver umbraculum. In the third, silver
division is a branch with an open pomegranate. A gothic patriarchal cross
is behind the shield and a galero, signifying De Donatis' archepiscopal
status.[23]

Before being appointed the Vicar General of Rome, De Donatis' coat of Angelo De Donatis' coat of arms
arms as auxiliary bishop was divided into red and silver fields, without the
umbraculum on the blue field.[24]

Episcopal motto

The words of De Donatis' Latin episcopal motto, nihil caritate dulcius, ("nothing is
sweeter than love" in English) are taken from St. Ambrose's De officiis
ministrorum (in English: On the Duties of the Clergy): "Be among you the peace
that surpasses all feeling. Love one another. Nothing is sweeter than love, nothing
more pleasing than peace."[24]
De Donatis' former coat
Interpretation of arms

The lion of St. Mark the Evangelist, chosen in honor of the saint to whom is
dedicated the parish he led before being appointed a bishop, stands on red, which is the color of love and blood.
The umbraculum, the symbol of the Bishop of Rome, is over a blue background, representing the detachment
from earthly values and the ascent of the soul to God. At the bottom is a pomegranate, the symbol of the
Passion of Christ, on a background of silver, which symbolizes the purity of the Virgin Mary to whom De
Donatis entrusts his episcopal ministry.[24]

See also
Catholic Church in Italy
Cardinal Vicar
Roman Catholic Diocese of Nard-Gallipoli
 Roman Catholic Diocese of Mottola
Archbasilica of St. John Lateran

Notes
a. In 1558 Pope Paul IV decreed that the Vicar General of Rome is always a cardinal or is made a cardinal
soon after being appointed.[18] De Donatis was not created a cardinal at the consistory that followed the
announcement of his appointment as Vicar by a month, and Vatican observers disagreed as to whether he
would be made a cardinal at the next consistory. A source close to Pope Francis said: "Tout comme le
pape a cr cardinal un vque auxiliaire qui continuera l'tre, cela correspond bien la volont de
Franois de bien sparer, d'un ct, le rle pastoral de l'vque et, de l'autre, la charge cardinalice au
service de l'glise universelle." ["Just as the pope made an auxiliary bishop a cardinal while remaining an
auxiliary, that suits his desire to distinguish the bishop's pastoral role on the one hand from a cardinal's
responsibility for service to the universal church."][19] Other reports predicted De Donatis would be
made a cardinal: "A decree instituted by Pope Paul IV in 1558 also holds that the Vicar of Rome must be
a cardinal. Since Pope Francis has already named him as an archbishop, it's likely Donatis could be added
to the list of 5 prelates who will get a red hat during the June 28 consistory."[20][21]

References

1. "Francis appoints "pastor" as new vicar of Rome" (https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2017/05/26/francis-appoi

nts-pastor-new-vicar-rome/). CRUX. 26 May 2017. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
2. "Conclusione Degli Ezercizi Spirituali del Santo Padre e Della Curia Romana" (http://press.vatican.va/co
ntent/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2014/03/14/0178/00383.html) [Conclusion of the Spiritual
Exercises of the Pope and the Roman Curia]. Vatican Press (in Italian). 14 March 2014. Retrieved
30 May 2017.
3. "Resignations and Appointments, 26.05.2017" (http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/p
ubblico/2017/05/26/170526b.html). Vatican Press. 26 May 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
4. "La Parrocchia, Presbiterio, S. E. Mons. Angelo De Donatis" (http://www.sanmarcoevangelista.it/index.p
hp/home/presbiterio) [Parish Presbytery: Mons. Angelo De Donatis]. Parish of the Basilica of San Marco
Evangelista (in Italian). Retrieved 30 May 2017.
5. "Nomine. Angelo De Donatis vescovo ausiliare di Roma" (https://www.avvenire.it/chiesa/pagine/don-de-
donatis-vescovo-ausiliare-di-roma) [Appointments: Angelo De Donatis Auxiliary Bishop of Rome].
Avvenire (in Italian). 14 September 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
6. "Persona: S.E. Mons. Angelo DE DONATIS" (http://www.vicariatusurbis.org/?page_id=202&IDPERS=2
95) [Person: Mgr. Angelo de Donatis]. Diocese of Rome: Vicariate of Rome (in Italian). Retrieved
30 May 2017.
7. Passantino, Filippo (6 February 2017). "Don Andrea Santoro, maestro della pace di Dio" (https://www.
romasette.it/don-andrea-santoro-maestro-della-pace-di-dio/) [Don Andrea Santoro, master of the "peace
of God"]. RomaSette (in Italian). Retrieved 30 May 2017.
8. "Programmi ANNUALI 2015/2016" (http://www.criptacrocefisso.it/programmi-annuali-coppiefamiglie/)
[Annual Program 2015/2016]. Cripta Crocefisso. 26 August 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
9. Tornielli, Andrea (22 October 2013). "Il parroco che predica gli esercizi al Papa" (http://www.lastampa.it/
2013/10/22/vaticaninsider/ita/vaticano/il-parroco-che-predica-gli-esercizi-al-papa-lD2AR0v6JFzQ86LEs
pZsbN/pagina.html) [The Parish Priest who Preaches the Spiritual Exercises to the Pope]. La Stampa (in
Italian). Retrieved 4 June 2017.
10. "Archbishop Angelo De Donatis" (http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bddonatis.html). Catholic-
Hierarchy.org. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
11. "Papa nomina mons. De Donatis nuovo ausiliare di Roma" (http://it.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/09/14/pa
pa_nomina_mons_de_donatis_nuovo_ausiliare_di_roma/1171656) [Pope Appoints Mons. De Donatis
New Auxiliary of Rome]. Vatican Radio (in Italian). 14 September 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
12. "Il Papa ordiner vescovo monsignor De Donatis" (http://www.romasette.it/il-papa-ordinera-vescovo-mo
nsignor-de-donatis/). Roma Sette (in Italian). 6 November 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
 13. "Scola: Giubileo sacerdotale, un momentoo di testimonianza per tutto il nostro popolo" (http://centropa
storaleambrosiano.it/cmlink/giubileo-misericordia/articoli-giubileo/scola-giubileo-sacerdotale-un-momen
to-br-di-testimonianza-per-tutto-il-nostro-popolo-1.135966) [Scoa: "Priestly jubilee, a moment of witness
to all our people"]. Jubilee of Mercy from the Diocese of Milan (in Italian). 11 April 2016. Retrieved
30 May 2017.
14. "Nulla pi dolce dell'amore [De Donatis]" (http://www.paoline.it/press/comunicati-stampa/1296-nulla-e
-piu-dolce-dell-amore-de-donatis.html) [Nothing is Sweeter than Love (De Donatis)]. Paoline Press
Office (in Italian). 6 September 2016. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
15. Harris, Elise (26 May 2017). "Pope taps Bishop Angelo de Donatis as new Vicar of Rome" (http://www.c
atholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-taps-bishop-angelo-de-donatis-as-new-vicar-of-rome-21739/).
Catholic News Agency. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
16. Zema, Angelo (26 May 2017). "Monsignor De Donatis nuovo vicario di Roma" (http://www.romasette.it/
monsignor-de-donatis-e-il-nuovo-vicario-di-roma/) [Monsignor De Donatis New Vicar of Rome].
RomaSette (in Italian). Retrieved 30 May 2017.
17. "Vicario di Roma, il Papa sceglie monsignor Angelo De Donatis" (http://www.lastampa.it/2017/05/26/vat
icaninsider/ita/vaticano/vicario-di-roma-il-papa-sceglie-monsignor-angelo-de-donatis-1cHHeldRsLAbJA
Us9FKSYO/pagina.html) [Vicar of Rome, the Pope chose Monsignor Angelo De Donatis]. Vatican
Insider (in Italian). 26 May 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
18. Tornielli, Andrea (27 May 2017). "Nuovo Vicario generale del Papa. Un anno e mezzo fa era parroco" (ht
tp://www.lastampa.it/2017/05/27/italia/cronache/nuovo-vicario-generale-del-papa-un-anno-e-mezzo-fa-er
a-parroco-zPpPQ7NO9A9p44p0MgbiZM/pagina.html) [New Vicar General of the Pope. A year and a
half ago he was a pastor]. La Stampa (in Italian). Retrieved 5 June 2017.
19. Senze, Nicolas (26 May 2017). "Mgr Angelo De Donatis nouveau vicaire du pape pour le diocse de
Rome" (http://www.la-croix.com/Urbi-et-Orbi/Actualite/Carnet/Mgr-Angelo-Donatis-nouveau-vicaire-pa
pe-diocese-Rome-2017-05-26-1200850374). La Croix (in French). Retrieved 1 June 2017.
20. Harris, Elise (26 May 2017). "Pope taps Bishop Angelo de Donatis as new Vicar of Rome" (http://www.c
atholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-taps-bishop-angelo-de-donatis-as-new-vicar-of-rome-21739/).
Catholic News Agency. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
21. Tornielli, Andrea (27 May 2017). "Nuovo Vicario generale del Papa. Un anno e mezzo fa era parroco" (ht
tp://www.lastampa.it/2017/05/27/italia/cronache/nuovo-vicario-generale-del-papa-un-anno-e-mezzo-fa-er
a-parroco-zPpPQ7NO9A9p44p0MgbiZM/premium.html). La Stampa (in Italian). Retrieved 3 June 2017.
"Il Vicario di Roma sempre stato creato cardinale (se non lo era gi, come nel caso di Vallini)"
22. "Pope Francis names Archbishop Angelo De Donatis as Vicar for the Diocese of Rome" (http://www.thet
ablet.co.uk/news/7188/0/pope-francis-names-archbishop-angelo-de-donatis-as-vicar-for-the-diocese-of-r
ome). The Tablet. 26 May 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
23. "Mons. Angelo De Donatis, nuovo Vicario Generale di Sua Santit per la Diocesi di Roma." (http://sangi
useppedeifalegnami.it/2017/05/mons-angelo-de-donatis-vicario-generale-sua-santita-la-diocesi-roma/)
[Monsignor Angelo De Donatis, new Vicar General of His Holiness for the Diocese of Rome]. Church of
Saint Joseph of Carpenters (in Italian). Retrieved 6 July 2017.
24. "Descrizione dello stemma episcopale di S.E.R. Mons. Angelo De Donatis" (http://www.sanmarcoevange
lista.it/attachments/article/372/Descrizione%20stemma%20S.E.R.%20Mons.%20Angelo%20De%20Don
atis.pdf) (PDF). Parish of the Basilica of St. Mary the Evangelist. Retrieved 6 July 2017.

External links
Vicariate of Rome website
"Archbishop Angelo De Donatis". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved 29 May 2017.

De Donatis, Angelo. Nulla pi dolce dell'amore. Paoline Editoriale Libri, 2016. ISBN 9788831548205
 Catholic Church titles
TITULAR
Preceded by
Bishop of Mottola
Bernard Joseph McLaughlin
2015present
Vicar General of His Holiness for the
Diocese of Rome
2017present
Incumbent
Archpriest of the Archbasilica of St. John
Preceded by
Lateran
Agostino Vallini
2017present
Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical Lateran
University
2017present

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