Bishop John Mario Mesa Palacio

Monsignor John Mario Mesa Palacio was born on June 8, 1966, in Belmira (Antioquia), within the Diocese of Santa Rosa de Osos. He was ordained a priest on November 23, 1993, and incardinated into the Diocese of Santa Rosa de Osos. He pursued his studies in Philosophy and Theology at the "Saint Thomas Aquinas" Diocesan Seminary within the same ecclesiastical jurisdiction. He obtained a Licentiate degree in Philosophy and Religious Education from the Catholic University Foundation of the North (Fundación Universitaria Católica del Norte) in Santa Rosa de Osos.  Parochial Vicar of the Immaculate Conception, Amalfi (1994).  Spiritual Director of the "Miguel Ángel Builes" Apostolic School in Ríogrande (1995).  Rector of the "Our Lady of Mercies" (Nuestra Señora de las Misericordias) Apostolic School in Liborina (1995–1996).  Rector of the "Miguel Ángel Builes" Apostolic School in Ríogrande (1997–1999).  Pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Vegachí (1999–2001).  Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Nuestra Señora del Carmen) in Vegachí (2002–2005).  Episcopal Vicar for the Meseta Zone (2006–2009).  Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Yarumal (2008–2009).  Director of the National Team for the Community Animation Service (SEDAC) (2010–2015).  Episcopal Vicar for Pastoral Affairs and Delegate for Family Ministry (2016–2019).  Rector of the "Saint Thomas Aquinas" Diocesan Seminary (2020–2022).  Pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary in Donmatías (2023–2024).  Director of the Department of Ecclesial Places for Living Communion (CEC) (2025). On December 4, 2025, the Holy Father Leo XIV appointed him Apostolic Vicar of Leticia. On February 24, 2026, he received episcopal consecration at the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Mercies in the Diocese of Santa Rosa de Osos. The Eucharist was presided over by Monsignor Mario de Jesús Álvarez, Bishop of Istmina-Tadó—the principal consecrator—and concelebrated by 22 bishops from various jurisdictions across the country. On March 4, 2026, Monsignor John Mario canonically took office as Apostolic Vicar of Leticia during a solemn Eucharist celebrated at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace in the capital of the Amazonas department. The celebration was presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio to Colombia, Monsignor Paolo Rudelli, who, on behalf of Pope Leo XIV, accompanied the beginning of the new apostolic vicar's pastoral ministry in this missionary jurisdiction of the Church in Colombia.