{{Short description|Italian Roman Catholic prelate}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}} {{Infobox Christian leader | type = cardinal | honorific_prefix = [[His Eminence]] | name = Baldassare Reina | honorific_suffix = | native_name = | native_name_lang = | title = [[Vicar General of Rome]] | image = Baldassare Reina.jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = | church = | archdiocese = | province = | metropolis = | diocese = | see = | elected = | appointed = 6 October 2024 | term = | term_start = | quashed = | term_end = | predecessor = [[Angelo De Donatis]] | opposed = | successor = | other_post = {{ubl|[[Roman Catholic Suburbicarian Diocese of Ostia|Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Ostia]] (2024–present)|[[Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran|Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of Saint John Lateran]] (2024–present)|Cardinal-Priest of [[Santa Maria Assunta e San Giuseppe a Primavalle]] (2024–present)|[[John Paul II Institute|Grand Chancellor of the John Paul II Pontifical Theological Institute for Marriage and Family Sciences]] (2025–present)}} | previous_post = {{unbulleted list|[[Diocese of Rome|Auxiliary Bishop of Rome]] (2022–24)|Titular Bishop of [[Mauretania Caesariensis#Episcopal sees|Acquae in Mauretania]] (2022–24)|[[Cardinal Vicar|Vicegerent of the Diocese of Rome]] (2023–24)|Titular Archbishop of [[Mauretania Caesariensis#Episcopal sees|Acquae in Mauretania]] (2024)}} | ordination = 8 September 1995 | ordained_by = [[Carmelo Ferraro]] | consecration = 27 May 2022 | consecrated_by = [[Angelo De Donatis]] | cardinal = 7 December 2024 | created_cardinal_by = [[Pope Francis]] | rank = [[Cardinal-Priest]] <!---------- Personal details ----------> | birth_name = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1970|11|26}} | birth_place = [[San Giovanni Gemini]], [[Italy]] | death_date = | death_place = | buried = | denomination = | residence = | parents = | spouse = | children = | occupation = | profession = | education = | alma_mater = | motto = {{unbulleted list|Caritas patiens est|(Love is patient)}} | signature = | signature_alt = | coat_of_arms = [[File:Coat of arms of Baldassare Reina (cardinal).svg|140px]] | coat_of_arms_alt = <!-- -------- Other -------- --> | other = }}
'''Baldassare Reina''' (born 26 November 1970) is an [[Catholic Church in Italy|Italian Catholic]] prelate who has served as [[Cardinal Vicar|vicar general]] of the [[Diocese of Rome]] since 2024. He previously served as an auxiliary bishop there from 2022 to 2024. He also served in his native [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Agrigento|Archdiocese of Agrigento]] for nine years as rector of the major seminary. [[Pope Francis]] made him a [[Cardinal (Catholic Church)|cardinal]] in 2024. He was made grand chancellor of the [[John Paul II Pontifical Theological Institute for Marriage and Family Sciences]] by [[Pope Leo XIV]] in 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pontifical Degrees |url=https://www.johnpaulii.edu/academics/pontifical-degrees/ |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage & Family |language=en-US |archive-date=8 October 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251008231115/https://www.johnpaulii.edu/academics/pontifical-degrees/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-19 |title=Reina nuovo gran cancelliere del Pontificio Istituto Giovanni Paolo II - Vatican News |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/it/papa/news/2025-05/cardinale-reina-gran-cancelliere-istituto-giovanni-paolo-ii.html |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=www.vaticannews.va |language=it |archive-date=23 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250523133748/https://www.vaticannews.va/it/papa/news/2025-05/cardinale-reina-gran-cancelliere-istituto-giovanni-paolo-ii.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Biography== Baldassare Reina was born on 26 November 1970 in [[San Giovanni Gemini]], in the [[province of Agrigento]]. He entered the minor seminary of Agrigento in 1981 and studied philosophy and theology at the [[Pontifical Gregorian University]], earning a bachelor's degree in sacred theology in 1995. On 8 September 1995 he was ordained a priest for the diocese of Agrigento by Bishop Carmelo Ferraro. He obtained a licentiate in biblical theology at the Gregorian in 1998.<ref name=vatbio/>
From 1998 to 2001 he was diocesan assistant of Catholic Action and vice-rector of the Agrigento seminary. From 2001 to 2003 he was parish priest of Beata Maria Vergine dell'Itria parish in [[Favara, Sicily|Favara]]. From 2003 to 2009 he was prefect of studies at the San Gregorio Agrigentino Theological Institute and from 2009 to 2013 parish priest of San Leone in Agrigento. From 2013 to 2022 he was rector of the Agrigento seminary.<ref name=vatbio/> Within his archdiocese he was, for various periods, professor of sacred scripture at the Higher Institute of Religious Sciences, a permanent professor at the San Gregorio Agrigentino Theological Institute, director of the Archdiocesan Culture Office, a canon of the cathedral chapter, and a member of the priests council and the college of consultants.<ref name=vatbio/>
He joined the staff of the [[Dicastery for the Clergy]] in 2022.<ref>{{cite web | website = Diocese of Rome | access-date = 9 October 2024 | url = https://www.diocesidiroma.it/papa-francesco-ha-nominato-tre-nuovi-vescovi-ausiliari-per-la-diocesi-di-roma-riccardo-lamba-baldassare-reina-e-daniele-salera/ | language = it | title = Papa Francesco ha nominato tre nuovi vescovi ausiliari per la diocesi di Roma: Riccardo Lamba, Baldassare Reina e Daniele Salera | date = 27 May 2022 | archive-date = 7 October 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20241007203015/https://www.diocesidiroma.it/papa-francesco-ha-nominato-tre-nuovi-vescovi-ausiliari-per-la-diocesi-di-roma-riccardo-lamba-baldassare-reina-e-daniele-salera/ | url-status = live }}</ref>
On 27 May 2022, Pope Francis appointed him titular bishop of [[Mauretania Caesariensis#Episcopal sees|Acquae in Mauretania]] and auxiliary bishop of Rome.<ref name=vatbio>{{cite press release | access-date = 9 October 2024 | url = https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2022/05/27/220527b.html | publisher = Holy See Press Office | date = 27 May 2022 | title = Resignations and Appointments, 27.05.2022 | archive-date = 10 October 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20241010003054/https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2022/05/27/220527b.html | url-status = live }}</ref> He received his episcopal consecration alongside two other new auxiliaries of Rome on 29 June in the [[Basilica of St. John Lateran]] from Cardinal [[Angelo De Donatis]], Vicar of the Diocese of Rome. He was given responsibility for the pastoral care of the western sector of the Diocese.<ref>{{cite news | access-date = 9 October 2024 | url = https://www.romasette.it/ordinazioni-episcopali-de-donatis-abbiate-cura-del-presbiterio/ | work = Roma Sette | language = it | title = Ordinazioni episcopali, De Donatis: abbiate cura del presbiterio | first = Roberta | last = Pumpo | date = 30 June 2022 | archive-date = 10 October 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20241010015516/https://www.romasette.it/ordinazioni-episcopali-de-donatis-abbiate-cura-del-presbiterio/ | url-status = live }}</ref>
On 6 January 2023, Pope Francis named him [[Cardinal Vicar#Vicegerents|vicegerent of the Diocese of Rome]]<ref>{{cite press release | access-date = 9 October 2024 | url = https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2023/01/06/230106d.html | publisher = Holy See Press Office | date = 6 January 2023 | title = Resignations and Appointments, 06.01.2023 | archive-date = 10 October 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20241010003056/https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2023/01/06/230106d.html | url-status = live }}</ref> and raised him to the rank of archbishop.<ref>{{cite book | access-date = 9 October 2024 | page = 109 | title = Acta Apostolicae Sedis | url = https://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/2023/acta-gennaio2023.pdf | date = 2023 | volume = CXV | archive-date = 10 October 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20241010004216/https://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/2023/acta-gennaio2023.pdf | url-status = live }}</ref> At the Vicariate of Rome he was responsible for the administration of assets, legal affairs, the general secretariat, and the protection of minors and vulnerable persons. When the office of the vicar general for the Diocese of Rome became vacant on 6 April 2024, Reina as vicegerent assumed the responsibilities of that office on a provisional basis.{{cn|date=October 2024}} On the same day he was named apostolic administrator of the [[Roman Catholic Suburbicarian Diocese of Ostia|Diocese of Ostia]]. His appointments for the Diocese of Rome occurred as Pope Francis undertook a reorganization of its organization and management, with Reina selected to put Francis' new program into effect.<ref>{{cite news | publisher = Catholic News Agency | access-date = 10 October 2024 | url = https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/259733/who-is-the-rome-diocese-s-new-vicar-general-future-cardinal-baldassare-reina | title = Who is the Rome Diocese's new vicar general, future Cardinal Baldassare Reina? | date = 9 October 2024 | first = Hannah | last = Brockhaus | archive-date = 9 October 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20241009175853/https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/259733/who-is-the-rome-diocese-s-new-vicar-general-future-cardinal-baldassare-reina | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | access-date = 10 October 2024 | work = Il Messagero | url = https://www.ilmessaggero.it/en/cardinal_baldassarre_reina_outlines_vision_for_a_transparent_and_humble_church_in_rome-8400378.html | date = 7 October 2024 | title = Cardinal Baldassare Reina Outlines Vision for a Transparent and Humble Church in Rome | first = Franca | last = Giansoldata | archive-date = 26 November 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20241126184434/https://www.ilmessaggero.it/en/cardinal_baldassarre_reina_outlines_vision_for_a_transparent_and_humble_church_in_rome-8400378.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
On 6 October 2024, Pope Francis announced that he planned to make Reina a cardinal on 8 December, a date that was later changed to 7 December,<ref>{{cite news | access-date = 12 October 2024 | url = https://www.ncregister.com/cna/vatican-shares-pope-francis-schedule-for-december-consistory-to-create-cardinals?amp | first = Hannah | last = Brockhaus | date = 12 October 2024 | title = Vatican Shares Pope Francis' Schedule for December Consistory to Create Cardinals | work = National Catholic Register | archive-date = 22 January 2025 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250122220021/https://www.ncregister.com/cna/vatican-shares-pope-francis-schedule-for-december-consistory-to-create-cardinals?amp | url-status = live }}</ref> and that Reina was now the [[Cardinal Vicar|vicar general of the Diocese of Rome]].<ref>{{cite press release | access-date = 6 October 2024 | date = 6 October 2024 | language = it | publisher = Holy See Press Office | url = https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2024/10/06/0774/01532.html | title = Annuncio di Concistoro l'8 dicembre per la creazione di nuovi Cardinali, 06.10.2024 | archive-date = 19 November 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20241119090919/https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2024/10/06/0774/01532.html | url-status = live }}</ref> On 25 October Pope Francis added the role of Archpriest of the [[Papal Basilica of Saint John Lateran]] to his responsibilities and raised him to the rank of archbishop.<ref>{{cite press release | access-date = 25 October 2024 | date = 25 October 2025 | publisher = Holy See Press Office | title = Resignations and Appointments, 25.10.2024 | url = https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2024/10/25/241025b.html | archive-date = 28 October 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20241028174950/https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2024/10/25/241025b.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
On 7 December 2024, Pope Francis made him a cardinal, assigning him as Cardinal-Priest of [[Santa Maria Assunta e San Giuseppe a Primavalle]].<ref>{{cite press release | access-date = 8 December 2024 | date = 7 December 2024 | language = it | publisher = Holy See Press Office | url = https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2024/12/07/0975/01948.html | title = Concistoro Ordinario Pubblico: Assegnazione dei Titoli e delle Diaconie ai nuovi Cardinali, 07.12.2024 | archive-date = 10 December 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20241210201044/https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2024/12/07/0975/01948.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
He participated as a [[Cardinal electors in the 2025 papal conclave|cardinal elector]] in the [[2025 papal conclave]] that elected [[Pope Leo XIV]].<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/scardc3.html| title=Cardinal Electors|date=6 May 2025|publisher=Catholic-Hierarchy.org|language=en|access-date=6 May 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250506193115/https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/scardc3.html|archive-date=6 May 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Pope Leo XIV]] appointed him grand chancellor of the [[John Paul II Pontifical Theological Institute for Marriage and Family Sciences]] on 19 May 2025.<ref>{{cite press release | access-date = 19 May 2025 | date = 19 May 2025 | url= https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2025/05/19/250519d.html | publisher = Holy See Press Office| title = Resignations and Appointments, 19.05.2025}}</ref>
==See also== * [[Cardinals created by Francis]]
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Wikiquote}} * [https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/breinab.html Biography on Catholic Hierarchy] {{Cardinals of the Catholic Church}} {{Cardinals created by Francis}}
{{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Reina, Baldassare}} [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:1970 births]] [[Category:People from the Province of Agrigento]] [[Category:Pontifical Gregorian University alumni]] [[Category:Bishops appointed by Pope Francis]] [[Category:Cardinals created by Pope Francis]] [[Category:Cardinal Vicars]] [[Category:21st-century Italian cardinals]]