Pope Leo XIV Appoints Four Auxiliary Bishops for the Diocese of Rome
Pope Leo XIV has appointed four new auxiliary bishops for the Diocese of Rome, strengthening the pastoral leadership of his own diocese with clergy who have long served in parish ministry across the Italian capital. The appointments reflect continuity in local pastoral experience, as each of the four priests has been actively engaged in parish life in Rome.
The newly appointed auxiliary bishops are Fr Stefano Sparapani, Fr Alessandro Zenobbi, Fr Andrea Carlevale and Fr Marco Valenti. All four have served for decades within the Diocese of Rome and bring extensive pastoral and administrative experience to their new responsibilities.
Fr Stefano Sparapani was born in Rome on July 24, 1956. He studied philosophy at the Pontifical Lateran University and later completed a master’s degree in moral theology. Ordained a priest for the Diocese of Rome on October 4, 1991, he served as assistant parish priest and later parish priest in Corviale. Since 2010 he has led the parish of San Basilio. He has also served as spiritual father at the Almo Collegio Capranica since 2015 and was named Episcopal Vicar for the North Sector of Rome in 2025.
Fr Alessandro Zenobbi, born in Rome on November 10, 1969, attended the Pontifical Roman Major Seminary before his ordination on April 28, 1996. He ministered for more than two decades at the parish of San Policarpo, first as assistant parish priest and later as parish priest. Since 2017 he has served as parish priest of Santa Lucia. In 2025 he was appointed Episcopal Vicar for the West Sector of the city.
Fr Andrea Carlevale was born in Rome on April 8, 1971, and completed his formation at the Pontifical Roman Major Seminary. Ordained on May 3, 1998, he served in several parishes including Santa Galla alla Garbatella and Sant’Ireneo a Centocelle. He later worked as an assistant at the Major Seminary and became parish priest of Santa Maria di Loreto a Castelverde Lunghezza. Since 2025 he has led the parish of San Giovanni Battista de Rossi in the Appio Latino area.
Fr Marco Valenti, born February 28, 1961, in Cantalupo in Sabina, studied philosophy and theology in Rome and earned a degree in art history from La Sapienza University. Ordained on April 26, 1986, he has served in multiple Roman parishes over nearly four decades, most recently as parish priest of the Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Auxiliary bishops assist the Bishop of Rome in pastoral governance, supporting parish communities, clergy, and diocesan structures. The appointments highlight Pope Leo XIV’s commitment to strengthening local leadership within the Diocese of Rome through experienced pastors deeply rooted in parish life.
