New Custos in Holy Land


 On Friday, May 20, 2016, it was announced that a new Custos for the Holy Land, Father Francesco Patton, had been elected.

 

patton

The Custos serves as the head of the Franciscans in the Holy Land and as custodian of the Holy Places. He serves as a member of the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land. 

 

Father Francesco Patton was born near Trent, Italy on December 23, 1963. He belongs to the Franciscan Province of St. Anthony in Italy. He is fluent in English and Spanish, besides his native Italian.

 

He made his first religious profession on September 7, 1983 and his solemn profession on October 4, 1986. He was then ordained to the priesthood on May 26, 1989.

 

He succeeds Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa who served as Custos from 2004 until 2016. 

 

We pray for Father Francesco and his ministry in the Holy Land! We wish Father Pierbattista every blessing in his new ministry!

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