Photo Source: Detroit Catholic
The Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, will ordain eight men into the priesthood at St. Peter’s Basilica on April 26, 2026. The ordination Mass will be preceded by a prayer vigil at St. John Lateran Basilica two days earlier.
The candidates for priestly ordination include Giovanni Emanuele Nunziante, 32, from Rome and England; Jos Emmanuel Nleme Sabate from Cameroon, who was not Catholic until the age of 11; and Yordan Camilo Medina from Colombia, who is inspired by his priest uncle and expresses deep gratitude to God for the opportunity to serve.
Also among the ordinandi is Antonino Ordine, 27, from Praia a Mare in Calabria, who has embraced a lifelong commitment to serving the Lord through his vocation. Daniele Riscica, 24, entered the seminary with conviction and remains steadfast in his calling. Giorgio Larosa, 30, from Italy, found inspiration through the witness of lay faithful and priests. Guglielmo Lapenna, 35, from Pescara, left his job at a liquor factory to pursue priesthood and describes himself as spiritually transformed and enriched.
Two days before the ordination, the candidates will gather at St. John Lateran Basilica for a prayer vigil in preparation for the Mass. The vigil, themed “The Inner Discovery of God’s Gift,” echoes the Pope’s message for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations.
In the Pope’s absence, the vigil will be organized by the Congregation for the Clergy in collaboration with the Diocese of Rome, the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, and the National Office for Vocational Pastoral Care of the Italian Episcopal Conference.
The event will focus on listening to the Word of God, personal testimonies, liturgical signs, and active participation from young people. It will be led by Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung Sik and his team.
Source: Vatican News
Anita Aryeh
DEPSOCOM, Accra
