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Bishops

Pope Leo XIV names Dom Antônio Fontinele bishop of Diocese of Rio Branco

First source report

Catholic IntelligenceUpdated 1 min read

Pope Leo XIV appointed Dom Antônio Fontinele de Melo as the bishop of the Diocese of Rio Branco on September 18, 2026. He transfers from the Diocese of Humaitá in Amazonas to lead the pastoral community in Acre.

Dom Antônio had been serving as the apostolic administrator of Rio Branco since July 12, 2026, following the resignation of Bishop Joaquín Pertíñez Fernández. The diocese became vacant on July 1, 2026, after the pope accepted the resignation of Bishop Pertíñez Fernández.

Born in Camocim, Ceará, Dom Antônio was ordained a priest on September 18, 1999, for the Archdiocese of Porto Velho. He served as a rector, parish priest, and professor before being named bishop of Humaitá in August 2020.

AI-assisted briefing based on the sources below.

5 sources8 reports3 languages

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  18. Oct 31, 8:23 AM PT · 4 sources Pope Leo XIV: AI decisions on human life must never be delegated
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Earlier version, Saturday 19 September

Pope Leo XIV appoints Dom Antônio Fontinele bishop of Diocese of Rio Branco

Earlier version, Saturday 19 September

Pope names Dom Antônio Fontinele bishop of Rio Branco

Earlier version, Friday 18 September

Pope names Antonio Fontinele de Melo Bishop of Rio Branco

Earlier version, Friday 18 September

Pope Leo XIV appoints Dom Antônio Fontinele as bishop of Rio Branco diocese

How the coverage unfolded

  1. Sep 18, 3:01 AM CNBB Português Papa Leão XIV nomeia dom Antônio Fontinele como bispo da diocese de Rio Branco, no Acre
  2. Sep 18, 4:03 AM Canção Nova Português Papa nomeia bispo para a diocese de Rio Branco (AC)
  3. Sep 18, 3:41 AM Vatican News Português Papa nomeia dom Antônio Fontinele bispo da Diocese de Rio Branco
  4. Sep 18, 3:15 AM Holy See Press Office Italiano Rinunce e nomine
  5. Sep 18, 3:26 AM Holy See Press Office Español Renuncias y nombramientos
  6. Sep 18, 5:16 AM Diocese of São José dos Campos Português Papa nomeia dom Antônio Fontinele bispo da Diocese de Rio Branco
  7. Sep 18, 1:12 AM ACI Digital Português Dom Antônio Fontinele é nomeado bispo de Rio Branco
  8. Sep 18, 2:20 AM InfoVaticana Español De administrador a obispo: León XIV confirma a Antônio Fontinele al frente de Río Branco, en la Amazonía brasileña

More on Pope Leo XIV

  1. Oct 31, 1:01 PM PT · 10 sources Pope Leo XIV appoints Bishop Francesco Cavina as Special Apostolic Visitator for Medjugorje
  2. Oct 31, 12:46 PM PT · 10 sources Pope Leo XIV chooses theme for 101st World Mission Day
  3. Oct 31, 11:45 AM PT · 31 sources Pope Leo XIV votes by mail in US midterm elections
  4. Oct 31, 11:24 AM PT · 3 sources Pope Leo XIV backs Oleshky evacuation
  5. Oct 31, 11:15 AM PT Pope Leo XIV to visit Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru
  6. Oct 31, 10:37 AM PT · 15 sources Pope Leo XIV casts mail-in ballot in US midterm elections
  7. Oct 31, 10:35 AM PT · 15 sources Pope Leo XIV receives 7,000 pilgrims from Villanova University and University of Notre Dame
  8. Oct 31, 10:32 AM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV to visit Peru
  9. Oct 31, 10:17 AM PT · 8 sources Pope Leo XIV receives delegations from earthquake-affected municipalities in Central Italy
  10. Oct 31, 10:16 AM PT · 3 sources Pope Leo XIV calls for renewed push to rebuild after earthquakes
  11. Oct 31, 9:51 AM PT · 54 sources Pope Leo XIV to visit Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru
  12. Oct 31, 9:45 AM PT · 13 sources Pope Leo XIV receives participants in Pontifical Academy for Life meeting
  13. Oct 31, 9:41 AM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV sets prayer intention for November 2026
  14. Oct 31, 9:07 AM PT · 4 sources Pope Leo XIV meets Italian municipalities' representatives
  15. Oct 31, 8:38 AM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV selects theme for 101st World Mission Day
  16. Oct 31, 8:29 AM PT · 6 sources Pope Leo XIV Appoints New Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication
  17. Oct 31, 8:26 AM PT · 5 sources Pope Leo XIV warns against AI use in life-or-death decisions
  18. Oct 31, 8:23 AM PT · 4 sources Pope Leo XIV: AI decisions on human life must never be delegated
  19. Oct 31, 8:15 AM PT · 5 sources Pope Leo XIV's charity reaches 2,000 children in Ukraine
  20. Oct 31, 8:00 AM PT · 14 sources Pope Leo XIV approves safeguards for Holy See employees
  21. Oct 31, 8:00 AM PT · 13 sources Pope Leo XIV appoints 2 Synod undersecretaries
  22. Oct 31, 7:47 AM PT Pope Leo XIV to visit France
  23. Oct 31, 7:34 AM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV to hold candlelight procession for peace at St Mary Major on October 31
  24. Oct 31, 7:31 AM PT · 2 sources Bishop Arturo Eduardo Fajardo expects Pope Leo XIV to revive faith in Uruguay
  25. Oct 31, 7:30 AM PT · 3 sources Pope Leo XIV to visit Peru

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