Pope Leo XIV makes first U.S. bishop appointment, fills San Diego vacancy

Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV Makes Strategic First Appointments, Including Historic San Diego Selection

First American Pope Fills Key Positions While Maintaining Vatican Continuity

VATICAN CITY - Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff in Catholic Church history, has begun shaping his administration with carefully selected personnel appointments that reflect both his global missionary experience and commitment to pastoral service, including a historic appointment in San Diego, California.

Bottom Line: Pope Leo XIV's initial appointments demonstrate continuity with Vatican reforms while strategically placing experienced pastoral leaders in key positions, including making the first San Diego appointment by an American pope.

Vatican Curia Kept Intact During Transition

In his first major administrative decision on May 9, Pope Leo XIV announced that all heads and members of the Roman Curia would provisionally remain in their current roles "donec aliter provideatur" (until otherwise provided). The Pope stated his intention to reserve time for "reflection, prayer, and dialogue" before making any definitive appointments or confirmations to the Vatican's governing bodies.

This measured approach reflects the emerging tone of Pope Leo XIV's papacy—marked by spiritual depth, structural prudence, and a strong emphasis on listening before acting. The decision gives Pope Leo time to consider what changes he wishes to make over the coming months while ensuring continuity in Church operations during the papal transition.

First Episcopal Appointment: Peru Connection

On May 14, Leo made his first appointment of senior clergy, naming Miguel Ángel Contreras Llajaruna to be auxiliary bishop of the diocese of Callao in Peru. The appointment demonstrates Pope Leo's deep connection to Peru, where he served as a missionary for decades.

Bishop-elect Contreras Llajaruna

Background of Bishop-elect Contreras Llajaruna:

• Born July 5, 1979, in Cajabamba, Peru
• Superior of the América del Sur district of the Marist Fathers
• Episcopal vicar for Consecrated Life of the Diocese of Callao since 2021
• Ordained as a priest on April 25, 2008
• Diocesan director general of the network of parish schools since 2022

The appointment holds special significance as then-Bishop Robert Prevost (now Pope Leo) served as the apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Callao from 2020 to 2021 while simultaneously serving as Bishop of Chiclayo.

Historic San Diego Appointment

In a move with particular resonance for California Catholics, Pope Leo XIV on May 22 appointed Auxiliary Bishop Michael M. Pham as bishop of San Diego, California, in his first American bishop appointment. This marks the first time an American pope has made a bishop appointment in San Diego.

Bishop Michael M. Pham

Bishop Michael Pham's Remarkable Journey:

• Born in Vietnam, Bishop Pham, 58, succeeds Cardinal Robert W. McElroy, who is now the archbishop of Washington
• Fled Vietnam as a 13-year-old refugee in 1980, accompanied by his older sister and younger brother, arriving first at a refugee camp in Malaysia before being sponsored by an American family in Blue Earth, Minnesota
• His family moved to San Diego in 1985
• Graduated from San Diego High School and San Diego State University
• Originally pursued aeronautical engineering before transferring to St. Francis Seminary at the University of San Diego
• Ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of San Diego on June 25, 1999, by Bishop Robert Henry Brom

Professional Experience and Leadership:

• Served as vocation director for the diocese (2001-2004)
• Pastor at Holy Family parish in San Diego (2004-2014), St. Therese Parish (2014-2016), and Good Shepherd Parish (2016-present)
• Named episcopal vicar for ethnic and intercultural communities in 2017 and vicar general in 2018
• Consecrated as auxiliary bishop on September 28, 2023
• Elected diocesan administrator in March 2025 following Cardinal McElroy's appointment to Washington

Educational Achievements:

• Bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering from San Diego State University
• Master's degree in aeronautical engineering
• Master of Science in Psychology from the University of Phoenix (2009)
• Licentiate degree in sacred theology at the University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome (2020)

San Diego Diocese Impact

The Diocese of San Diego covers about 8,900 square miles in Southern California. Out of a total population of over 3.4 million, there are nearly 1.4 million Catholics. Bishop Pham's appointment is particularly significant as he became the first Asian appointed bishop in the diocese of San Diego, reflecting the area's diverse population.

Among his notable initiatives is the annual Pentecost Mass for All Peoples, which drew about 2,300 people in 2023 and celebrates the multicultural nature of the diocese. Bishop Pham described the event as "a foretaste of the banquet in Heaven, where all people of all cultures gather together at the altar … united in Christ".

Pope Leo XIV's Background and Vision

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, is a 69-year-old from Chicago known as a leader with global experience who spent much of his career as a missionary in South America. Most recently, he led the powerful Vatican office for bishop appointments (Dicastery for Bishops), giving him unique insight into Church leadership needs worldwide.

Prior to his election May 8, the former Cardinal Robert Prevost headed the Vatican's bishops office and in that capacity would have reviewed and vetted Pham's file, suggesting continuity in the vetting process for episcopal appointments.

Looking Forward

Vatican observers will be watching carefully to see what decisions Pope Leo makes regarding various curial officials who are approaching retirement age, as several key Vatican leaders are over 75 and required to submit resignations. The Pope's measured approach to personnel changes suggests future appointments will be made thoughtfully and strategically.

Pope Leo XIV's initial appointments signal a papacy that values pastoral experience, multicultural competence, and educational leadership—qualities evident in both the Peru and San Diego selections. The appointments also demonstrate the global reach of his pontificate, spanning from South America to Southern California.

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Sources

1. America Magazine. "Pope Leo XIV, in first U.S. appointment, names San Diego's new bishop." May 22, 2025. https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2025/05/22/pope-leo-bishop-san-diego-pham-250745

2. Associated Press. "Pope Leo XIV makes first U.S. bishop appointment, fills San Diego vacancy." May 22, 2025. https://apnews.com/article/bishop-of-san-diego-pope-831d48b6acb789c640c4af685895ae4e

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14. U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. "Pope Leo XIV Appoints Most Reverend Michael Pham as Bishop of San Diego." May 22, 2025. https://www.usccb.org/news/2025/pope-leo-xiv-appoints-most-reverend-michael-pham-bishop-san-diego

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18. The Washington Post. "Pope Leo XIV makes first U.S. bishop appointment, fills San Diego vacancy." May 22, 2025. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/05/22/bishop-of-san-diego-pope/210208c2-36fd-11f0-9c9e-0db2d748bea7_story.html

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     Pope Leo XIV makes first U.S. bishop appointment, fills San Diego vacancy