[Catholic Caucus] Key aide of Pope Francis and Cdl Fernández leaves Vatican

In a notable move, Pope Leo XIV has sent one of Pope Francis’ and Cardinal Fernández’s key aides back to Argentina, raising some speculation about the position of Fernández himself.

Father Daniel Pellizzon, of the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires, is returning to Argentina to become parish priest of the church of San Cayetano de Belgrano near the center of the city of Buenos Aires itself.

News of the move, though not announced by any official channels of the Holy See, was shared by the parish church in late November. Announcements of Pellizzon’s welcome Mass as the new parish priest were made at the start of February, with the opening Mass being on March 1.

The priest has been made a Monsignor, a fairly customary way of a parting diplomatic gift following the conclusion of close service to the Pontiff and Holy See. Indeed it is customary for the Pope to choose his own secretaries – or bring those he already had as a cardinal – rather than keeping those of his predecessor, but Pellizzon’s departure remains notable due to who he is.

Pellizzon is not widely known to much of the Anglosphere, but he should be, given his close links to the late Pope Francis and Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández – the cardinal being one of the most controversial figures introduced to the Vatican under the last pontificate.

Pellizzon was ordained in November 2018, and has long had a very close relationship with Fernández, as well as with Pope Francis.

The Argentinian priest was private secretary for Fernández during the latter’s nine years as rector of the Catholic University of Argentina – something which was notably glossed over in English reports in July 2023 – and was also the Archbishop’s Master of Liturgical Ceremonies for key events.

Prior to his priestly life, Pellizon also worked with Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio during his time as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, helping him organize his personal archive. Consequently he received a personal letter of congratulations from Pope Francis at his 2018 ordination – a Mass at which Archbishop Fernández gave the homily.

Pellizon spent four years as a priest in San Cayetano Shrine in Liniers, before moving to a new church in February 2023. However that was a short-lived assignment since he was named as private secretary to Pope Francis in July 2023, and arrived in August.

The timing of this move to Rome was closely arranged to marry up with that of his other long-time close friend and collaborator, Fernández. Fernández was named as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in July 2023 and arrived just a few weeks later.

This correspondent understands from sources with knowledge of the matter that Pope Francis arranged this deliberately, knowing that Fernández and Pellizon would be keen to remain in close proximity in their working lives, almost as a package deal.

With Fernández as the prefect of the CDF and Pellizon as one of the pope’s secretaries, a tight-knit collaboration was thus formed between three – continuing their close friendship and working pattern which originated in their native Argentina.

During Pope Francis’ hospitalization and final days spent back at the Vatican, Pellizon was one of the few people allowed to form part of the very close-knit inner circle around the dying Pope.

After Leo XIV’s ascent to the papal throne, Pellizon continued in his role as secretary to the Pope for many months: notably he replaced Leo’s chief personal secretary, Peruvian priest Father Edgard Rimaycuna, while Rimaycuna was away. The Argentine priest also accompanied the Pope closely during the high profile visit of King Charles III to the Holy See in October.

Such proximity to the Pope suggested an initial continuity in doctrinal style with Francis, given the close link between Pellizon and Fernández and was a cause of concern to some Vatican observers.

However, though not as speedy as expected, Pellizon’s removal from the papal household and the Vatican has now been effected.

Leo’s two secretaries are the now-Monsignor Rimaycuna and the Italian Father Marco Billeri, who was called up from the Diocese of San Miniato. Leo has had a long working relationship with the still young Rimaycuna, but his selection of Fr. Billeri was seen by some Vatican analysts as notable.

Traditionally the second secretary might be chosen from the Secretariat of State, but Leo bucked this trend, prompting some to speculate that he was ken to ensure his household personnel would be loyal to him and not the be the loyal to any other offices of the Roman Curia – especially the Secretariat of State.

Pellizon’s arrival was predicted by his new parish church in late November, meaning that the transfer has been underway for some time.

Given the close link between Pellizon and Fernández, it is by no means unlikely that the former’s return to Argentina – or polite expulsion from the Vatican – could signal the upcoming departure of the latter.

Fernández’s term as prefect of the CDF would not end until September 2028, presuming Leo allowed him to simply fulfil the 5-year period he began under Pope Francis. While dismissing Fernández mid-way through a term as prefect would certainly be a poignant move, it would not be before time given the immense controversy and scandal which the cardinal has brought to the office in the short time he has held it.

Yet, even with the departure of Pellizon, there is the strong argument to be made that Leo will nevertheless seek to keep Fernández until his term expires. There are a number of other Roman Curial prefects who are in need of replacing due to age, and given the new development of negotiations between the SSPX and the Holy See – particularly via the CDF – Leo might well decide that a change in leadership is not what he is keen for at such a stage.

Should Fernández stay at the CDF until 2028 when his current term would end, then a perhaps at least a change in tone under Leo might be expected, in lieu of any change in prefect.

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The well-sourced Argentinian Church commentator “El Wanderer” noted this in a December article, quipping about Pellizon’s transfer home to a parish and referencing some of the darker rumors which have surrounded Fernández’s priestly confidant:
It is strange that someone who was expelled from the seminary in Buenos Aires (we will draw a veil over the reason) and then granted papal mercy and reluctantly ordained as a priest by Cardinal Poli in 2018, should have obtained promotions and privileges of this nature so quickly. Perhaps Fr. Leonardo Silio, of the Diocese of Merlo Moreno, could shed some light on these ins and outs.

The priest has been made a Monsignor, a fairly customary way of a parting diplomatic gift following the conclusion of close service to the Pontiff and Holy See.

I thought Francis had discontinued the granting of that honorific.

I wish God would answer my prayers that those following the Catholic Cult would wake up to the fact that Catholicism is Satan’s cult and join a Bible believing church instead.

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[Catholic Caucus] Key aide of Pope Francis and Cdl Fernández leaves Vatican

Father Daniel Pellizzon has been an overlooked, but important, figure under the last pontificate. Now that era is over.