Diocese of Caldas

Monsignor Juan Fernando Franco Sánchez was born in Barbosa, Antioquia, on June 1, 1975. He was ordained a priest on March 29, 2003. He pursued his studies at the Santa Cruz Diocesan Seminary in Caldas, Antioquia (1995–2002), completing a Baccalaureate in Philosophy (1996–1997) and studies in Theology at the Pontifical Bolivarian University (1998–2002). He earned a Licentiate in Canon Law from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome, Italy (2006–2009). His pastoral roles included serving as parochial vicar at Our Lady of Sorrows (Nuestra Señora de los Dolores) in Titiribí and at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mercy (Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes) in Caldas; Diocesan Delegate for Youth Ministry; chaplain of the Lasallian University Corporation in Caldas; pastor of the Transfiguration of the Lord parish in Caldas; rector of the Major Seminary; Vicar General; Diocesan Chancellor; President of the Diocesan Tribunal and Judicial Vicar; and Diocesan Delegate for Family Ministry. In 2021, he was appointed Diocesan Administrator of Caldas by the College of Consultors. On October 15, 2022, Pope Francis appointed him Bishop of the Diocese of Caldas (Antioquia). His episcopal consecration and canonical installation took place on December 9, 2022, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mercy in Caldas (Antioquia). Monsignor Juan Fernando Franco Sánchez was born in Barbosa, Antioquia, on June 1, 1975. He was ordained a priest on March 29, 2003. He undertook his priestly formation studies at the Santa Cruz Diocesan Seminary (1995–2002), obtaining a Baccalaureate in Philosophy (1995–1997) and a degree in Theology from the Pontifical Bolivarian University (1998–2002) in Medellín. Subsequently, he pursued a Licentiate degree in Canon Law at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross (2006–2009) in Rome, Italy. Diocesan Delegate for Liturgical Pastoral Care. Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish (Titiribí, Antioquia) and at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mercy (Caldas, Antioquia). Diocesan Delegate for Youth Ministry. Chaplain at the Lasallian University Corporation (Caldas, Antioquia). Resident in Rome, attached to the Diocese of Cesena–Sarsina (Italy). Diocesan Delegate for Family Ministry. Diocesan Chancellor.