Father Francesco Ielpo, a Franciscan priest from Italy, has been elected the new custos of the Holy Land.
Fr. Ielpo succeeds Father Francesco Patton, who held the position since 2016. Pope Leo XIV confirmed the appointment following the vote by the Minister General of the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor and his Definitory.
The role of custos, traditionally held by a member of the Franciscans, involves overseeing Christian holy sites and representing the Catholic Church in the Holy Land. Fr. Ielpo will also serve as Guardian of Mount Zion, overseeing key sacred sites and coordinating the pastoral presence of the Church across the region.
Born in 1970 in Lauria, Italy, Fr. Ielpo made his solemn profession in 1998 and was ordained in 2000. His background includes work as a religion teacher, rector of a Franciscan school in Brescia, Italy, and leadership roles within the order’s Italian provinces.
From 2013 to 2023, he served as commissioner of the Holy Land for Lombardy and later Northern Italy. He is also president of the Holy Land Foundation and a board member of the Pro Terra Sancta Association.
Since 2022, Fr. Ielpo has coordinated the restructuring of Franciscan provinces in southern Italy. He also acted as delegate for the custos in Italy.
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Author: Rachel Quackenbush
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