World · Europe · 5 hrs ago
Cardinal Paolo Romeo, former archbishop of Palermo, dies at 88
Cardinal Paolo Romeo died at 88 on October 25 after a long illness, at a hospital in Catania, Sicily.
Romeo was the former archbishop of Palermo, a major Catholic archdiocese in Sicily.
Born in Acireale, he became a priest in 1961 and served in Vatican diplomatic posts in several countries before leading the Palermo archdiocese from 2006 until 2015.
His career linked Vatican diplomacy and local church leadership, including service as papal representative in Haiti, Colombia, Canada, Italy and San Marino.
His death marks the loss of a senior figure in the Italian Catholic Church with a long record of service to the Church.
A prayer vigil is scheduled in Acireale on October 27, where his body will lie in state.
His funeral will take place on October 28 at the cathedral in Acireale.
Cardinal Paolo Romeo, the former archbishop of Palermo, died at age 88 on Oct. 25 in Catania.
He died at San Marco Hospital after a long illness, according to church authorities.
Romeo was born in Acireale in 1938 and was ordained a priest in 1961.
He served as a Vatican diplomat before leading the Archdiocese of Palermo from 2006 until 2015.
His funeral is scheduled for Oct. 28 at the cathedral in Acireale.
- Who
- Cardinal Paolo Romeo, former archbishop of Palermo.
- What
- He died at age 88 after a long illness.
- When
- Oct. 25, 2026.
- Where
- San Marco Hospital in Catania, Italy.
- Why
- The sources say he died after a long illness but do not state a specific cause.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Paolo Romeo was born in Acireale.
He was ordained a priest.
He was appointed to lead the Archdiocese of Palermo.
Romeo died at San Marco Hospital in Catania.
His funeral is scheduled at the cathedral in Acireale.
- Age at death
- 88
- Place of death
- San Marco Hospital, Catania
- Birthplace and birth date
- Acireale, Feb. 20, 1938
- Priesthood
- Ordained March 18, 1961
- Palermo appointment
- Dec. 19, 2006
- Funeral
- Oct. 28 at 11 a.m., Acireale Cathedral
3 sources
What people are saying
entrusting his soul to the Lord who will know how to reward him for the commitment he devoted to serving his Church