Pope Leo XIV appoints Cardinal Baldassare Reina to lead the John Paul II Institute in Rome after Archbishop Paglia steps down

In a quiet but significant change at the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV has made one of his first major personnel moves by appointing Cardinal Baldassare Reina as the new grand chancellor of the Pontifical Theological Institute John Paul II for Marriage and the Family.

This move marks a return to tradition—and a passing of the torch from one era to another.

Cardinal Reina Steps Into a Pivotal Role

At 54 years old, Cardinal Baldassare Reina is already a key figure in the Church.

Since 2024, he’s been serving as the vicar general of the Diocese of Rome—a role that also makes him grand chancellor of the Pontifical Lateran University, which houses the John Paul II Institute.

Now, with this new appointment, Reina takes over from Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, who reached the Vatican’s retirement age of 80 on April 20.

The transition was expected, but it carries deeper meaning for the direction of the institute.

A Return to How Things Were

This shift seems to signal a restoration of earlier customs.

Before Pope Francis, the leadership of the John Paul II Institute was traditionally held by the vicar general of Rome.

That changed in 2016 when Francis named Paglia to the role, breaking with that precedent.

Reina’s appointment by Pope Leo XIV appears to undo that shift, reconnecting the institute’s leadership with the Diocese of Rome—possibly a signal of how Pope Leo plans to balance continuity and change in his papacy.

A Controversial Past Under Paglia

Archbishop Paglia’s time at the helm wasn’t without drama.

In 2017, Pope Francis made waves when he restructured the John Paul II Institute, which had originally been founded by Pope John Paul II in 1982 with a strong focus on moral theology and family studies.

Francis expanded its mission to include broader social science topics—something that stirred debate.

Then in 2019, fresh controversy arose when several long-serving faculty members weren’t given contract renewals under the new rules.

Some critics viewed it as an effort to change the theological direction of the school.

Paglia Reflects on Stepping Down

Speaking to Catholic News Agency on May 19, Paglia said his departure as chancellor was planned and in line with standard Vatican procedures for retirement.

However, when asked whether he would also soon leave his other post—as president of the Pontifical Academy for Life—he admitted it might be likely, given his age.

Still, he didn’t comment on the previous controversies at the institute, choosing to stay silent about the turbulent decisions and criticism that marked his time there.