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The cause for beatification of the Servant of God Monsignor Antonio Roveggio has been reopened
Monday, September 8, 2025
On 5th September 2025, at the episcopal palace of the Diocese of Verona, the bishop, Monsignor Domenico Pompili, opened the diocesan inquiry concerning the continuing reputation for holiness of the Servant of God Monsignor Antonio Maria Roveggio. His example, recounted in numerous biographies, has inspired the lives of many Comboni missionaries. His cause for beatification was first introduced in 1952, later taken up several times, but never brought to completion.
As a young priest, Antonio Roveggio entered the Institute founded by Saint Daniel Comboni in 1884, and in 1887 he departed for Egypt. In 1895, at only 37 years of age, he was appointed Apostolic Vicar of Central Africa. With charity and humility, animated by a deep devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, he devoted all his strength to the proclamation of the Gospel in Egypt and among various ethnic groups in Sudan. Exhausted by his labors, he died in Berber, on a train, while traveling back to Egypt. He was 43 years old.
The Superior General, Father Luigi Fernando Codianni, and his council entrusted Father Cosimo De Iaco, Postulator General of the Institute of Comboni Missionaries, with the task of carrying forward the cause, continuing the precious work of Father Arnaldo Baritussio, Postulator Emeritus.
The diocesan inquiry session was presided over by Mons. Pompili. During the opening moment of prayer, the prelate emphasised that the resumption of the beatification cause of a person who died more than a century ago is not meant to celebrate the past, but rather to keep alive the memory of a witness to the Gospel who can inspire the present and the future of the Church.
In his welcoming address, Father Cosimo pointed out three aspects that make Monsignor Antonio Maria Roveggio a relevant figure today and his cause significant: his total dedication to the proclamation of the Gospel, his convinced adherence to the demands of religious life, and his profound devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, whose humility and gentleness towards all he imitated.
In addition to the officials of the diocesan tribunal of Verona, confrères from the motherhouse in Verona, several Comboni Sisters, and a good number of friends also took part in the event. It is our hope that the cause may proceed swiftly, so that the figure of Monsignor Roveggio may be known, imitated, and invoked in prayer, together with Saint Daniel Comboni, Blessed Joseph Ambrosoli, and Venerable Bernardo Sartori.