Artime Emerges as a Prominent Candidate for Papacy with Focus on Youth
Vatican City: Born into a family of fishermen in Spain, Cardinal ngel Fern¡ndez Artime has gained attention as a potential successor to Pope Francis. Artime, known for his dedication to youth and peripheral communities, is the first Rector Major of the Salesian Congregation to be elevated to the rank of Cardinal.
According to Ansa News Agency, Artime was born in Luanco, Asturias, and educated at the Salesian School of Le³n. He pursued degrees in pastoral theology, philosophy, and pedagogy at the University of Valladolid, becoming a priest in 1987. His early career involved teaching religion at the Salesian Institute Santo ngel in Avil©s and later directing the Salesian Institute in Ourense. His commitment to young people was evident early on, as he took on roles such as youth ministry delegate, counselor, and vicar in the Le³n province council. In 2009, Artime was appointed as the superior of the southern Argentina province, where he met Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the future Pope Francis.
A theologian and pedagogue, Artime has worked extensively in youth formation in Spain and Latin America, which strengthened his connection with Bergoglio. His election as rector major of the Salesian congregation in 2014 marked a pivotal point in his career. In 2023, Pope Francis appointed him as a cardinal, overriding the 1962 “motu proprio cum gravissima” requirement for cardinals to be bishops. The following year, he was given the titular see of Ursona with the rank of archbishop, pending his episcopal ordination. Currently, he serves as a member of the dicastery for institutes of consecrated life and societies of apostolic life.
Artime’s approach, characterized by directness and a focus on service over formality, represents a move towards a more inclusive church that seeks to engage with young people and dismantle barriers. As a member of the Salesians, one of the most represented religious orders in the conclave with five electors, Artime’s influence is considerable. His tenure as head of the Salesians involved extensive travel and relationship-building with high-ranking prelates globally, positioning him as a significant figure in the upcoming papal election.