Bishop Mario Vaccari

The Holy Father has appointed Fr. Mario Vaccari, O.F.M., Provincial Vicar of the Saint Anthony Province of the Friars Minor of Northern Italy, as Bishop of Massa Carrara-Pontremoli. H.E. Msgr. Mario Vaccari, Bishop of Massa Carrara-Pontremoli, was born on February 5, 1959, in Genoa. He earned a degree in Economics and Commerce from the Faculty of Economics in Genoa in 1982. He entered the Order of Friars Minor and made his first profession on September 4, 1993. He obtained a Baccalaureate in Theology from the Theological Faculty of Northern Italy (Genoa Section) in 1997. He made his solemn profession on April 7, 1997, and was ordained a priest on December 8, 1998. He has held the following roles: pastoral service in a parish; Guardian; Master of Friars in temporary vows; Provincial Definitor; Legal Representative; Provincial Minister of the former Ligurian Province of the Sacred Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary (2009–2016); and Provincial Vicar of the Saint Anthony Province of the Friars Minor of Northern Italy (appointed in 2016, reconfirmed in 2019). He also collaborated in the establishment of the fraternities known as "New Forms of Life and Mission" within the Order of Friars Minor.