Pope Leo XIV has appointed the Bishop of Girona, Octavi Vilà, as the new Archbishop of Barcelona. The 64-year-old succeeds Cardinal Juan José Omella, whose resignation the Pope has accepted. The Vatican announced this on 11 November. Vilà is due to take up his new post on 19 December.
Until then, he will remain Bishop of Girona, Vilà said in a message to the people of his former diocese. The Pope will then appoint a successor. Vilà gave thanks for the welcome he received during his two and a half years in Girona and wrote that he found it hard to say goodbye.
The Archdiocese of Barcelona also confirmed the date on which he will begin his ministry. Further details of the installation are to be announced. Omella is serving as apostolic administrator of the archdiocese during the transition, according to a message from the cardinal published on 11 November.
Vilà was born on 11 December 1961 in Tarragona He studied geography and history, as well as library and information science, at the University of Barcelona. He later studied, among other subjects, information technology, and philosophy and theology in Catalonia.
According to the Vatican, Vilà entered the novitiate of the Cistercian Monastery of Poblet in 2006. He took his solemn vows in 2010 and was ordained a priest in 2015. From 2015 to 2024, he was abbot of the monastery. Pope Francis appointed him Bishop of Girona in February 2024; he was consecrated a bishop in April that year.
Omella had led the Archdiocese of Barcelona since December 2015. His appointment had been announced in November that year. From 2020 to 2024, he also headed the Spanish Episcopal Conference. In April 2021, having reached the age of 75, he offered his resignation. It has now been accepted alongside the appointment of his successor.
With this change, Vilà takes charge of an archdiocese in the Catalan capital. His career to date has combined work in Girona with monastic life in Poblet and studies in Barcelona. At the time of his appointment, his announced assumption of office in December is still to come.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).