St. Louis Auxiliary Bishop Mark S. Rivituso was appointed by Pope Leo XIV as the third archbishop of Mobile.
Rivituso was appointed after Archbishop Thomas Rodi submitted his resignation at age 75, the age at which bishops are required by canon law to retire.
Rivituso participated in a press conference Tuesday where he said he already felt the "southern charm of sweet home Alabama."
"I just want to share with you a pledge, a blessing, that you will always be in my daily prayers, you have a special place in my heart and also, I will labor with the shepherding love of Jesus for all of you because I want to love you as Christ loves and I want to do what I can to lift each other up so we can live out the goodness of our life," said Rivituso.
The 63-year-old has spent most of his life in St. Louis and is recognized for his positive impact on the community, particularly on those in need.
As early as high school, Rivituso knew he wanted to enter the priesthood. He went to Cardinal Glennon College and Kenrick Seminary. He earned his master's degree and a licentiate in canon and civil law from St. Paul University in Ottawa, Canada.
He was first ordained a priest in 1988. The archbishop who ordained him in St. Louis, Archbishop John L. May, served as a bishop of Mobile before he moved to St. Louis.
Rivituso asked for prayers as he takes on the new role.
The Province of Mobile includes the dioceses of Biloxi and Jackson, Miss., and the Diocese of Birmingham.
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