Cardinal Domenico Battaglia, the Archbishop of Naples, is a straight-talking prelate known as the “Bergoglio of Southern Italy” due his work as a “street priest” helping drug addicts, the poor and the marginalized.

He has also become famous for his battles against organized crime, but a recent case of alleged mafia infiltration in his archdiocese has raised questions about his governance. Battaglia has also faced protests for banning the Vetus Ordo (traditional Roman Rite) in the Neapolitan archdiocese.

Born on January 20, 1963, in Satriano, Catanzaro, Italy, “Don Mimmo” as he is known studied philosophy and theology at the Pontifical Regional Seminary San Pio X in Catanzaro and was ordained priest on February 6, 1988.

Battaglia’s early career was marked by his dedication to social causes. He served in various roles, including parish priest, rector of a seminary, and director of missionary association. He became especially involved in supporting efforts to recover from drug addiction.

From 1992 to 2015, he held leadership positions in organizations focused on rehabilitation and therapeutic communities, including serving as the National President of the Italian Federation of Therapeutic Communities (FICT).

On June 24, 2016, Pope Francis appointed Battaglia as Bishop of Cerreto Sannita-Telese-Sant’Agata de’ Goti, making him the first priest from that diocese to become a bishop since 1960. His episcopal motto, “Confide surge vocat te” (Take heart, arise, He is calling you), reflects his commitment to serving those in need.

Since being installed as Archbishop of Naples on February 2, 2021, Battaglia has become known for his strong stance against organized crime, particularly the Camorra, the region’s prominent crime group.

He has appealed for members of organized crime groups to “be converted” and has initiated hands-on outreach to the city’s most affected districts. He has also developed educational projects in collaboration with civil society and the private sector to combat organized crime.

However, in the summer of 2024 the cardinal faced allegations that the mafia had connections with the Pontifical Theological Faculty of Southern Italy. The faculty, which is located in the archdiocese of Naples and has Cardinal Battaglia as its grand chancellor, has been accused of being infiltrated by the ‘Ndrangheta’ crime syndicate.

Cardinal Battaglia held urgent meetings with curia staff but remained silent on these specific allegations. His silence is particularly noteworthy given his outspoken criticism of the mafia and his close association with Father Luigi Ciotti, a well-known social activist and founder of anti-mafia organization, Libera.

The situation highlights the complex relationship between the Church and organized crime in southern Italy. While the Vatican and Church leaders like Battaglia have taken increasingly strong stances against mafia groups in recent years, the deep-rooted nature of these organizations continues to present challenges.

Throughout his Church career, Battaglia has been a strong advocate for various marginalized groups. He has spoken out in support of drug addicts, victims of domestic violence, the elderly, and the unemployed. Like Francis, he likes to see the Gospel lived by helping those on the periphery of society.¹“It is oftentimes easy to live our faith inside a church, inside a temple. It is much more difficult to live the faith outside the door of that temple, inside our homes, in our daily lives,” Battaglia said in a homily in Naples in February 2021. “But today more than ever we need to return to being credible because only credibility really helps us to live to the fullest the beauty of the Gospel. All together we are called out that door to proclaim the beauty of the Gospel that changes lives, that fills our lives. Faith is the ability to choose, to fight for the human against all that is inhuman,” he continued, according to a CNA report. “Nothing is more important in life than stooping down so that another by grasping your neck can rise up.”

But in May 2024, Battaglia caused a furore by issuing a decree banning all celebrations in the old rite with the exception of an institute of French religious. His action led to protests and a petition calling on him to revoke the ban. Petitioners stressed that Traditionis Custodes issued restrictions, not an outright ban, on the old Mass. The dispute has not yet been resolved.

Battaglia, who is liked for his straightforward and easy-going style, has also been criticized for a lack of presence in the city and difficulties faithful have experienced in being able to meet him.

The Italian cardinal has written several books, including “Old Slippers… Shoes of Angels — The Tenderness of a Priest Walking With the Last” and “The Poor Are Always Right.”

Pope Francis elevated Battaglia to cardinal on December 7, 2024.

His appointment came as a surprise as Battaglia had not previously been included in the original list of new cardinals announced in October. His name was added after Indonesian Bishop Paskalis Bruno Syukur of Bogor declined the cardinalate.