Pope Leo extends pro-LGBT archbishop’s tenure after resignation

[Stone]

Pope Leo extends pro-LGBT archbishop’s tenure after resignation
Pope Leo XIV accepted Archbishop Mario Delpini’s resignation upon reaching 75 but ordered him to remain in charge of the archdiocese until 2027.



Archbishop Mario Delpini
Marco Iacobucci Epp/Shutterstock.com

Sep 1, 2026
MILAN (LifeSiteNews [slightly adapted, not all hyperlinks included from original]) — Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of pro-LGBT Archbishop Mario Delpini of Milan but ordered the prelate to remain at the head of the archdiocese for another year.

On September 1, the Archdiocese of Milan announced on its official website that Pope Leo, while accepting Delpini’s resignation – as prescribed by the Code of Canon Law upon reaching the age of 75 – has nonetheless extended his episcopal mandate for an additional year.

“In a letter received a few days ago, the Apostolic Nuncio to Italy, Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, informed the Archbishop that Pope Leo XIV accepted the resignation nunc pro tunc, extending the mandate for one year. The Nuncio also communicated that, at the end of the indicated period, after July 2027, the Apostolic Nunciature will begin the customary process for the provision of this See. The Archbishop will therefore remain in office until the publication of the appointment of his successor,” the announcement reads.

Delpini has distinguished himself as one of Italy’s most progressive prelates, showing favor toward both the LGBT cause and Freemasonry.

On June 12, he celebrated a Mass for the LGBT group “Il Gruppo del Guado” on the Feast of the Sacred Heart. This was seen as following the synodal documents of the Italian Bishops’ Conference which promote pro-LGBT language and initiatives.

On May 11, the Archdiocese of Milan unveiled its “Ambrosian Monastery” project, a new religious and cultural complex described as “inclusive and futuristic.” The project includes a church, a cloister, and several areas dedicated to interreligious dialogue and cultural events, including a “Garden of Religions.” Architectural renderings show a modern structure with angular forms and triangular layouts.

On February 16, 2024, the Archdiocese of Milan held a closed-door meeting on Catholic-Masonic dialogue, attended by a group of select journalists and invited guests. Present were the three Grand Masters of Italy’s Grand Lodges – Stefano Bisi, Luciano Romoli, and Fabio Venzi – alongside Delpini, Cardinal Francesco Coccopalmerio, and Franciscan theologian and canonist Zbigniew Suchecki. Bishop Antonio Staglianò, president of the Pontifical Academy of Theology, delivered an extended address suggesting points of convergence between Catholicism and Freemasonry while downplaying doctrinal differences traditionally considered irreconcilable.

The Archdiocese of Milan holds a unique place in the Catholic world – second only to Rome in historical prestige, pastoral influence, and theological weight. Its archbishops have traditionally been elevated to the cardinalate, a custom that underscores Milan’s symbolic role as the Church’s northern pillar.

Archbishop Mario Delpini, while often described as a progressive voice, had an uneasy relationship with Pope Francis. His failure to receive the red hat – a break with centuries of precedent – has been interpreted by many observers as a subtle sign of this tension.

Since Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini (a key player in the liberal St. Gallen Mafia) governed Milan, the archdiocese has largely been entrusted to prelates aligned with a progressive theological and pastoral vision – often emphasizing compromise with modern culture over doctrinal continuity.

Martini’s influence extended well beyond Italy, shaping a generation of prelates who sought a more liberal, synodal, and culturally adaptive Church. With allies in his St. Gallen collective including powerful prelates such as Cardinals Gotfried Danneels, Walter Kasper, and Cormac Murphy‑O’Connor, the group became a decisive force in the post-John Paul II era. It also played a strategic role in paving the way for Pope Francis’ election in 2013.