Pope Francis has appointed Conventual Franciscan Friar Marco Tasca as archbishop of Genoa, Italy, the Vatican announced May 8.
Friar Marco, who served as minister general of the OFM Conventual friars for 12 years, has been a friend to the Secular Franciscan Order, participating in OFS general chapters.
“I am a friar and I remain a friar,” Fr. Marco told his fellow Franciscans when his appointment was announced at the friary in Padova, the Jesuit America Magazine reported. “His fellow Franciscans responded with prolonged applause.”
“The archbishop-elect greeted his new diocese, which includes 674,000 faithful and 278 priests, with the words of St. Francis of Assisi: ‘May the Lord give you peace’.”
