The Holy Father on November 23, 2017, appointed as bishop of Teramo-Atri, Italy, Bishop Lorenzo Leuzzi, transferring him from the titular see of Cittanova and from the office of the auxiliary bishop of Rome.
He also appointed as auxiliary bishops of Rome Rev. Fr. Daniele Libanori, S.J., rector of the Church of San Giuseppe dei Falegnami al Foro Romano, and Rev. Paolo Ricciardi, of the Roman clergy, pastor of the San Carlo da Sezze parish, assigning them the titular sees of Buruni and Gabi respectively.
Bishop Lorenzo Leuzzi
H.E. Msgr. Lorenzo Leuzzi was born in Trani, province of Bari, and archdiocese of Trani-Barletta-Bisceglie, on September 25, 1955. After his studies at the classical lyceum, he entered the Seminary and, attending the Theological Studium of Bari, obtained a bachelor’s degree in theology (1979), then completing his formation in the priesthood at the Pontifical Major Roman Seminary. He graduated in Medicine and Surgery at the University of Bari (1980), specializing in medico-legal and insurance studies at the Catholic University of Rome (1983). He obtained a licentiate in canon law at the Pontifical Lateran University (1983), and a doctorate in moral theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University (1985).
He was ordained a priest for the diocese of Rome on June 2, 1984, by Cardinal Ugo Poletti in the Cathedral of Trani. He has held the following offices: ecclesiastical assistant at the University of the Sacred Heart in Rome; pastoral officer for universities of the diocese of Rome; director of the Marian Congregation of Mary Immaculate and of the School of Religion of San Filippo Neri all’Esquilino; rector of the Church of San Filippo Neri all’Esquilino; director of the University Pastoral Office of the Vicariate of Rome; member of the Commission of Catholic Education, School and University of the Episcopal Conference of Lazio; rector of the Church of San Gregorio Nazianzeno a Montecitorio and chaplain of the Chamber of Deputies of the Italian Parliament. In 1993 he was named chaplain of His Holiness.
He was elected as titular bishop of Cittanova and auxiliary of Rome on 31 January 2012, and received episcopal consecration the following April 14. As auxiliary bishop of Rome he is delegate for the pastoral care of university and culture, and chaplain of the Chamber of Deputies of the Italian Republic.
Within the Italian Episcopal Conference, he is a member of the Episcopal Commission for Catholic Education, School and University, as well as a member of the Advisory Board of the Vatican Publishing House.
Msgr. Leuzzi is the author of several publications of a cultural and theological-pastoral nature.
Bishop-elect Daniele Libanori, S.J.
The Rev. Fr. Daniele Libanori, S.J., was born in Ostellato, in the province of Ferrara, in the Archdiocese of Ferrara-Comacchio. He carried out his formation in the priesthood in the archdiocesan seminary of Ferrara from 1964.
He was ordained a priest on June 11, 1977, for the Archdiocese of Ferrara-Comacchio.
As a diocesan priest, he served from 1977 to 1983 as deputy priest of the parish of Vigarano Mainarda. Subsequently, from 1983 to 1991, he was pastor of the parish of Madonna dei Boschi and rector of the archiepiscopal seminary.
In 1991 he joined the Society of Jesus. From 1993 to 1997 he provided pastoral service in L’Aquila at the University College of Abruzzo and the University Chapel. Then, for a year he was minister of the Community of Posillipo and from 1998 to 2003, he served in the chapel of La Sapienza University in Rome. In 2002 he gave his religious vows. From 2003 to 2008 he was vice rector and from 2008 to 2016 rector of the Rectory of the Most Holy Name of Jesus in Argentina.
After serving for a few months as Regent of the National Directorate of the Prayer Apostolate, in 2017 he became rector of the Church of San Giuseppe dei Falegnami al Foro Romano and member of the Office for the Permanent Formation of the Clergy.
He holds a licentiate in theology of evangelization from the Theological Studium of Bologna and a doctorate in theology of Christian life from the Theological Faculty of Southern Italy – San Luigi Section. He has edited editions of the writings of spiritual masters and profiles of religious.
Bishop-elect Paolo Ricciardi
The Rev. Paolo Ricciardi was born in Rome on March 4, 1968. He attended the Pontifical Roman Major Seminary and was ordained a priest on May 2, 1993, for the diocese of Rome.
He holds a licentiate in biblical theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome.
He has held the following offices: assistant at the Pontifical Roman Major Seminary from 1993 to 1998; deputy priest of the parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Monte Mario from 1998 to 2003; official of the Catechistic Office and of the Service for the Catechumenate of the Vicariate of Rome from 2001 to 2003; representative of the West Sector of the diocesan presbyteral council from 2001 to 2007; pastor of the parish of Santa Silvia from 2003 to 2015; and secretary of the presbyteral council from 2011 to 2015. Since 2012 he has served as a member of the college of consultors and from 2015, pastor of the San Carlo da Sezze parish.
