Pope Leo XIV has appointed Michael Pham as the new bishop of San Diego. Pham, who previously served as auxiliary bishop, succeeds Cardinal Robert McElroy. The appointment was announced on May 22nd. This marks one of the first appointments by the new pope. The Diocese of San Diego serves nearly 1.4 million Catholics.
15 days ago
Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop Michael Pham as the new Bishop of the Diocese of San Diego 1 3. This appointment was made on Thursday, May 22, 2025 1 3. Bishop Pham succeeds Cardinal Robert McElroy, who now serves as the Archbishop of Washington 1 4 5. Since Cardinal McElroy's departure, Bishop Pham has been serving as the diocesan administrator 1 5.
Bishop Pham, 58, was born in Vietnam 1 4 5. He received his episcopal consecration in September 2023 and has served as the titular bishop of Cercina 1 3. Ordained to the priesthood in 1999, Pham has ministered to Catholic faithful in parishes throughout the San Diego Diocese 1 3. His service includes assistant priest at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, in Oceanside (1991-2001) and parish priest for Holy Family and St. Therese parishes in San Diego (2004-2023) 1 3. He also held positions such as vocations director, vicar for ethnic and intercultural communities, and vicar general of San Diego 1 3.
Pham's education includes seminary studies at St. Francis Seminary and St. Patrick’s Seminary, along with degrees in aeronautical engineering and psychology 1 3. In 2020, he earned a licentiate degree in sacred theology from the University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome 1 3.
This appointment is one of the first made by Pope Leo XIV in the United States since his inauguration on May 18 4 5.
The Diocese of San Diego encompasses approximately 8,900 square miles in Southern California 4 5. It serves a Catholic population of nearly 1.4 million within a total population of over 3.4 million 4 5.
What are the roles and responsibilities of a bishop?
I can confirm that the current Pope is Leo XIV. However, I do not have access to real-time information, including specific appointments made by the Pope. For the most up-to-date and accurate information on such appointments, I recommend checking the official Vatican News website or other reliable Catholic news sources.