The Vatican announced on August 3, 2026, the appointment of an apostolic administrator to temporarily govern the Archdiocese of Rabat, Morocco, pending the outcome of an investigation. The move follows the resignation of Cardinal Cristóbal López Romero, who had led the archdiocese since 2017.
According to the Vatican's official statement, Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Cardinal López Romero and appointed Bishop Santiago Agrelo as apostolic administrator sede plena (with full authority) until a new archbishop is named. The investigation concerns allegations of financial mismanagement within the archdiocese, though no formal charges have been filed.
Bishop Agrelo, a Spanish Franciscan, previously served as Archbishop of Tangier from 2001 to 2019. He will oversee the archdiocese's daily operations and ensure continuity during the transition.
The Archdiocese of Rabat serves a small Catholic community in a predominantly Muslim country. The Vatican's decision underscores its commitment to transparency and good governance in church administration.
