Pope Leo XIV ordained four auxiliary bishops for the Diocese of Rome May 2, charging them in his homily during the ordination Mass to aid him in caring for the Catholics of Rome and the world.
According to Vatican News, the four new auxiliary bishops are Stefano Sparapani, Alessandro Zenobbi, Andrea Carlevale, and Marco Valenti. The outlet reported that Pope Leo said their responsibility is now to help him “be for the Roman people an image of the Good Shepherd and to watch over the charity of the whole holy People of God spread throughout the world.”
He urged them to allow the Holy Spirit to give them the gift of prophecy, adding, “You will be prophets in your ministry if you are men of peace and unity, who weave together — with threads of grace and mercy — the vast and populous spaces of this diocese, harmonizing differences, welcoming, listening, forgiving.”
Pope Leo recently ordained four auxiliary bishops of Rome. pic.twitter.com/gRTmaEiEBx
— Zeale News (@ZealeNews) May 5, 2026
Pope Leo cited Pope Francis’ encyclical Evangelii gaudium, which encourages the Church to be a “field hospital” and serve the poor and marginalized. He reminded that “no one is excluded from becoming an active part of the sacred building that is the Church and of the fraternity among human beings.”
The Pontiff told the bishops that in their vocations as priests, they have accepted the call of Evangelii gaudium, and said that their new positions include “a new call, a further vocation.” That new vocation contains the same message at its core, he said, which carries the responsibility of ensuring that “no one, absolutely no one” considers themselves “rejected by God.”
“And you will be heralds of this good news that stands at the heart of the Gospel,” he said.
Finally, Pope Leo urged the bishops to stay close to the people of Rome, making themselves available to clergy, religious, and laity.
“Ensure that priests, deacons, religious sisters and brothers, as well as lay people engaged in apostolic work, never feel alone,” the Pope exhorted them. “Help them to rekindle hope in their various ministries and to feel part of one and the same mission.”