Pope Leo XIV Appoints Archbishop Filippo Iannone as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Archbishop Filippo Iannone, O. Carm., as the new Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, entrusting him with one of the most significant responsibilities in the Roman Curia: assisting the Pope in the appointment of bishops across the world. 

Archbishop Iannone is currently the Prefect of the Dicastery of Legislative Texts.  

The announcement, released by the Holy See Press Office on September 26, confirmed that Archbishop Iannone will officially assume his new role on October 15, 2025.

The Dicastery for Bishops plays a vital role in the life of the universal Church. Its primary mission is to help the Pope identify and recommend suitable candidates for the episcopate. Once proposals are made, the final decision rests with the Holy Father, who entrusts chosen candidates with the leadership of local Churches. 

The Dicastery also oversees matters related to bishops’ ministry and provides guidance on the governance of dioceses. Additionally, the Prefect serves as president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, which strengthens ties between the Holy See and the Church in Latin America.

Archbishop Iannone, 67, succeeds Cardinal Robert Prevost, who had been leading the Dicastery since 2023 until the death of Pope Francis earlier this year. A Carmelite, jurist, and canon lawyer, Archbishop Iannone brings decades of experience in Church governance and canon law. 

He has served in various Vatican offices, including the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life, and the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts, where he has been president since 2018.

In addition to Archbishop Iannone’s appointment, Pope Leo XIV confirmed Archbishop Ilson de Jesus Montanari of Brazil as Secretary of the Dicastery for a further five years and Monsignor Ivan Kovač as Undersecretary for the same term.

This is Pope Leo XIV’s first appointment of a Dicastery head since his election in May. Earlier, he named Sister Tiziana Merletti, F.S.P., as Secretary of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, a decision widely noted as a step forward in women’s participation in Vatican leadership.