On January 29th, Cardinal Fernando Vérgez, LC, the first Legionary of Christ, took possession of the diaconate of Santa María de la Merced y de San Adrián en Villa Albani, in the city of Rome.

Cardinal Vérgez presided over the Eucharistic celebration and concelebrated with some cardinals, bishops, and priests. The parish community of the Church of Santa María de la Merced welcomed their new titular cardinal. At the beginning of the Eucharistic celebration, the papal bull was read, in which Pope Francis entrusts the pastoral care of this diaconate to Cardinal Vérgez and appoints him as its Titular Cardinal. Subsequently, Father Giuseppe Celano, O. de M., parish priest of the church, welcomed the Cardinal for generously accepting this responsibility with the parish community and the Church of Rome.

During his homily, Cardinal Fernando Vérgez placed his ministry and work as a shepherd of the Church into God’s hands and thanked God for the mission entrusted to him, as well as all those who have accompanied him with their prayers and friendship. With his words, he expressed his desire to accompany the faithful who are part of this parish community as a close and attentive pastor to their needs.

At the end of the Eucharist, a lady on behalf of the laypeople of the parish community delivered a greeting to the Cardinal, expressing joy at receiving him in the parish and the desire to welcome him as a shepherd.

The celebration was attended by more than 200 people, including cardinals, bishops, priests, religious men and women, and laity. Accompanying Cardinal Vérgez in the taking of possession were Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello, Cardinal Arthur Roche, Mons. Brian Farrell, LC, Mons. Renato Boccardo, Mons. Aurelio García Macías, and Mons. Paul Tighe.

Representing the Legion of Christ, present were Fathers John Connor, LC, and Hernán Jiménez, LC, along with two deacons and some religious from the Philosophy and Theology communities.

Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, LC

Cardinal Fernando Vérgez was born in Salamanca (Spain) on March 1, 1945. He made his perpetual profession on December 25, 1965, and was ordained a priest on November 26, 1969. He earned a degree in Philosophy and Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University and obtained a diploma from the School of Archivists of the Vatican Secret Archives. On August 1, 1972, he began his service in the Holy See at the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life; in April 1984, he was transferred to the Pontifical Council for the Laity; in June 2004, he was appointed Head of the Internet Office of the Holy See; and finally, on January 10, 2008, he was appointed Director of the Telecommunications Directorate of the State of Vatican City.

On August 30, 2013, he was appointed Secretary General of the Governorate of the State of Vatican City, and on October 15 of the same year, he was elevated to the episcopal dignity, being assigned the titular bishopric of Villamagna di Proconsolare. On September 29, 2020, he was appointed member of the Reserved Matters Commission. On September 8, 2021, the Holy Father named him President of the Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City and President of the Governorate of the State of Vatican City, also conferring upon him the personal title of Archbishop. On August 27, 2022, he was created cardinal by Pope Francis.

Church of Santa María de la Merced y San Adrián

The Church of Santa María de la Merced y San Adrián is a parish church, established by Pope Pius XI on February 2, 1932, with the apostolic constitution In Salaria Huius Almae Urbis; since June 7, 1967, it has been the seat of the cardinalatial title of “Santa María de la Merced y San Adrián en Villa Albani,” instituted by Pope Paul VI with the apostolic constitution Hac Nostra Aetate. The church is administered by the Order of Santa María de la Merced.