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Pope Leo XIV has called upon Fr Marco Billeri, a priest of the Diocese of San Miniato (in Tuscany, Italy), as his new second personal secretary. The Pope’s first personal secretary is priest Fr. Edgar Rimaycuna from his former diocese in Peru. (Fr. Edgar is pictured below at the pope's left from today's audience )
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The announcement was released the Bishop of San Miniato, Giovanni Paccosi, who said Pope Leo XIV personally asked him over the phone on Sept. 24, if he would permit him to go to the Vatican. Fr. Billeri was ordained a priest in 2016, and earned a Doctorate in Canon Law in Rome. He has served as a judge at the Ecclesiastical Tribunal of Tuscany, defender of the bond in the tribunals of San Miniato and Volterra, episcopal master of ceremonies, and secretary of the Presbyteral Council. His ministry was as associate pastor in the parish of Saints Stephen and Martin in San Miniato Basso.
The announcement was released the Bishop of San Miniato, Giovanni Paccosi, who said Pope Leo XIV personally asked him over the phone on Sept. 24, if he would permit him to go to the Vatican. Fr. Billeri was ordained a priest in 2016, and earned a Doctorate in Canon Law in Rome. He has served as a judge at the Ecclesiastical Tribunal of Tuscany, defender of the bond in the tribunals of San Miniato and Volterra, episcopal master of ceremonies, and secretary of the Presbyteral Council. His ministry was as associate pastor in the parish of Saints Stephen and Martin in San Miniato Basso.
FULL TEXT STATEMENT by Bishop Paccosi
Pope Leo XIV has called Don Marco Billeri to serve as His Second Personal Secretary
+ Giovanni Paccosi
Dear friends,
I am writing to you to share news that fills us with amazement and joy. The Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, has called Don Marco Billeri, a priest of our Church in San Miniato, to leave our diocese to serve as His Second Personal Secretary.
This is a great gift for our diocese: to think that a priest, his son, could support Peter's mission so closely is unimaginable. So it was for me when, last Wednesday, Pope Leo wanted to ask me personally, by telephone, if I would be willing to let him leave. I immediately said, "Thank you, Holy Father." Of course, I felt both joy and dismay, thinking that Don Marco will now be at the heart of Christ's Church, even if this means losing an invaluable friend and collaborator.
As you know, after his ordination in 2016, Don Marco continued his studies in Rome, obtaining a Doctorate in Canon Law. Appointed Judge at the Ecclesiastical Tribunal of Tuscany and Defender of the Bond at the Diocesan Tribunals of San Miniato and Volterra, he was also Episcopal Master of Ceremonies and Secretary of the Presbyteral Council. Until now, he had been assistant priest of the Parish of Saints Stephen and Martin in San Miniato Basso, but he will now face a new stage in his vocation, serving the Vicar of Christ.
I invite everyone to pray for Don Marco and also for our diocesan Church: in our now even closer bond with the Pope and the universal Church, may we grow in awareness of our mission. As the title of the day marking the beginning of the pastoral year, next October 5th, says: "Called into Communion, Sent to Witness His Love." And let us pray that the Lord sends us many vocations.
I embrace you and bless you.
+ Giovanni Paccosi
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