Pope Leo XIV has appointed San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone to the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, the Catholic Church's highest judicial body. The announcement, made on Saturday, places Cordileone on the Vatican's highest court for a five-year term.
Archbishop Cordileone gained international attention in May 2022 when he declared that Pelosi, then-House Speaker, would be barred from receiving Holy Communion within the Archdiocese of San Francisco due to her support for abortion rights. He cited Church law, which states that individuals who knowingly commit a grave sin causing scandal should not be admitted to Communion.
In response to his appointment, Cordileone expressed gratitude to Pope Leo XIV, stating, "I receive this responsibility with a profound sense of stewardship, recognizing that every office in the Church is entrusted for the service of Christ, His people, and the mission of the Gospel." He added that the Supreme Apostolic Signatura assists the Holy Father in safeguarding the administration of justice within the Church.
"Justice in the Church is never merely legal; it is ordered toward the salvation of souls, the protection of the rights of the faithful, and the strengthening of ecclesial communion," Cordileone said. "I am honored to contribute to that important mission."
The archbishop emphasized that his primary role remains leading the Archdiocese of San Francisco. "My primary vocation remains that of shepherd of this archdiocese, and I will continue to devote myself to serving our priests, deacons, religious, and parishioners while fulfilling the additional responsibilities entrusted to me by the Holy Father," he stated. He also mentioned the 800th anniversary of the Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of his archdiocese.
The Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura is composed of cardinals, bishops, and priests appointed by the pope and is led by a Cardinal Prefect. The tribunal oversees the administration of justice within the Catholic Church.