Pope Leo XIV Names New Bishop for Palm Beach and Auxiliary for Phoenix
Pope Leo XIV has announced a new set of episcopal appointments in the United States, accepting the resignation of the Bishop of Palm Beach and naming new leadership in both Florida and Arizona. The Holy See confirmed that the Pope has accepted the resignation of Bishop Gerald Barbarito, who has led the Diocese of Palm Beach since 2003, and appointed Father Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez as his successor. The decision follows established canon law norms, as Bishop Barbarito submitted his resignation after reaching the age of 75 earlier this year. The Diocese of Palm Beach, established in 1984, serves a diverse Catholic population spread across several counties in southeastern Florida and remains a significant pastoral center within the region. The appointment reflects Pope Leo XIV’s continued attention to episcopal succession and pastoral governance in key dioceses.
Bishop designate Rodríguez currently serves as pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in the Queens borough of New York and brings extensive canonical and administrative experience to his new role. Born in the Dominican Republic, he was ordained to the priesthood in 2004 and later incardinated into the Diocese of Brooklyn. Alongside parish ministry, he has held senior juridical responsibilities, including work in penal canon law and service as a diocesan promoter of justice. Fluent in multiple languages, Rodríguez is expected to assume pastoral governance of Palm Beach following his episcopal ordination and installation at the Cathedral of Saint Ignatius Loyola. He will succeed Bishop Barbarito, whose tenure spanned more than two decades and included periods of demographic growth and institutional consolidation within the diocese.
On the same day, Pope Leo XIV also appointed Monsignor Peter Dai Bui as an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix, assigning him the titular see of Ausafa. Born in Vietnam and later settling in the United States, Bishop designate Dai Bui has served the Church in a range of pastoral and administrative roles. Ordained a priest in 2003, he was incardinated into the Diocese of Phoenix in 2009 and has since worked as parish priest, diocesan official, and vicar for the clergy. His appointment adds to the episcopal leadership of a diocese marked by growth and cultural diversity. Together, the appointments underline the Pope’s emphasis on pastoral experience, canonical competence, and multicultural background in shaping the leadership of the Church in the United States.
