Pope Leo XIV Appoints Cardinal Baldassare Reina as Chancellor of John Paul II Institute

Vatican City, May 21, 2025 — Pope Leo XIV appointed Cardinal Baldassare Reina as the new grand chancellor of the Pontifical Theological Institute John Paul II for Marriage and the Family in Rome on May 19, 2025. The appointment, one of the pope’s first personnel decisions since his election, replaces Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, who stepped down after reaching the retirement age of 80.

Cardinal Reina, 54, currently serves as the vicar general of the Diocese of Rome—a role he has held since 2024—and also acts as grand chancellor of the Pontifical Lateran University, which houses the John Paul II Institute. His appointment marks a return to the prior structure linking the chancellorship of the institute to the vicar general of Rome, a practice that was changed in 2016 under Pope Francis.

Paglia, who was named chancellor of the institute by Pope Francis in 2016, oversaw significant reforms, including a 2017 re-founding of the institute that expanded its focus from moral theology to include the social sciences. New statutes issued in 2019 drew criticism for staffing changes, including the non-renewal of contracts for several long-time faculty members.

Speaking to CNA on May 19, Cardinal Paglia confirmed his expected departure in line with Vatican retirement norms. However, he declined to comment on the controversies during his tenure. He continues to serve as president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, though he acknowledged that a change in leadership there may also be imminent.

The Pontifical Theological Institute, originally established by Pope John Paul II in 1982, remains a key centre for Catholic teaching on marriage and family. Cardinal Reina’s leadership is expected to signal both continuity with traditional structures and renewed focus under Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate.

By Hannah Brockhaus

Source: Catholic News Agency

Image Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA