The Pope has appointed Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, who has faced criticism in his role as vicar general of Rome, to lead a Vatican court known as “the tribunal of Mercy”.
Cardinal de Donatis is now major penitentiary of the Apostolic Penitentiary, which handles excommunication and cases of serious sin, where absolution is reserved to the Holy See. It also has the right to grant indulgences.
In 2017, Pope Francis made the cardinal vicar general of the Diocese of Rome, but he has clashed with Francis repeatedly. On March 12, 2020, the cardinal closed every church in Rome to the public, only to reverse the decision a day later at Francis’s request.
In 2021, the Pope instigated the first financial audit of the diocese. No findings were published.
Last September De Donatis questioned the Vatican’s decision to excommunicate Marko Rupnik, a former Jesuit accused of abusing nuns. Expelled from the Society of Jesus last June, Rupnik is currently under investigation by the Vatican.
The Pope decided in January 2023 to downgrade the role of vicar general of the Diocese of Rome.
Part of a package of reforms introduced by a new apostolic constitution In Ecclesiarum Communione, this re-defined the role of vicar general as an “auxiliary”.
It gave the Pope final say over the diocese’s choice of priests, spending decisions and management.
Cardinal De Donatis replaces 80-year-old Cardinal Mauro Piacenza as major penitentiary. The role carries a unique privilege: if alive, De Donatis will retain his post after the Pope’s death during the conclave. He will also be one of only three cardinal-electors with the right to speak to people outside the conclave.
The Pope has also appointed Bishop Daniele Libanori SJ as the Holy Father's Assessor for Consecrated Life. Libanori discovered allegations of Rupnik’s abuse while investigating the Loyola community co-founded by Rupnik in Slovenia.
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