Father Ferm\u00edn Gonz\u00e1lez Melado, who was recently named a \u201cchaplain of His Holiness\u201d by Pope Leo XIV, explains the qualifications and purpose of bestowing this honorary title.<\/p>\n
Among the recent appointments of Pope Leo XIV, one in particular has been made with remarkable frequency: that of \u201cchaplain of His Holiness.\u201d What does this honorary title mean?<\/p>\n
In November 2025, the Holy Father bestowed this title upon his secretary, Peruvian priest Father Edgard Iv\u00e1n Rimaycuna Inga, officially incorporating him into the papal household, in accordance with the provisions of the 1968 motu proprio Pontificalis Domus (\u201cPontifical House\u201d).<\/p>\n
Among those who have received this distinction in recent days is Father Ferm\u00edn Gonz\u00e1lez Melado, a diocesan priest born in Badajoz, Spain, who has resided in Rome since 2019.<\/p>\n
With degrees in biology and the theology of marriage and family, Gonz\u00e1lez is an adviser to the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and a member of the clinical ethics committee at the Bambino Ges\u00f9 Children\u2019s Hospital. He has also served as vice rector of the Spanish National Church of St. James and Montserrat in Rome since 2021.<\/p>\n
Father Ferm\u00edn Gonz\u00e1lez Melado. | Credit: Archdiocese of M\u00e9rida-Badajoz<\/p>\n
In an interview with ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News, he explained that the title of \u201cchaplain of His Holiness\u201d is a recognition \u201cgranted by the dicasteries, since it is the prefects who suggest to the secretariat of state the recognition of individuals who have been working at the Holy See.\u201d<\/p>\n
He clarified that this \u201cdoes not imply a change of job or employment status, but rather a kind of medal that recognizes meritorious work. It is an honorary title that entails a change of cassock colors and little else,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
With this appointment as chaplain, the pope also bestowed upon him the honorary title of monsignor. From now on, as a member of the papal household, the priest may wear the cassock with purple buttons and trim, along with the sash of the same color, according to protocol.<\/p>\n
Gonz\u00e1lez said this title is not reserved just for the Holy See to give \u201cbut can also be granted by bishops in their dioceses after requesting it from the Vatican.\u201d<\/p>\n
He pointed out that there is no precise figure for the number of chaplains of His Holiness worldwide. \u201cSome dioceses grant this honor to priests upon reaching the age of 80, in recognition of their service,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Although he has not yet been able to express his gratitude to Pope Leo XIV in person, he recalled his recent meeting with him, along with other members of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, during its plenary assembly.<\/p>\n
The priest told ACI Prensa that every time he meets with the Holy Father, he likes to give him \u201csome small gift.\u201d On the last occasion, he gave him a book and a documentary film about the Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows of Chandavila, in La Codosera, Spain, which is in his diocese.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the first shrine and the first devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows approved in Spain under the new regulations of the dicastery on alleged supernatural phenomena,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
This story\u00a0was first published\u00a0by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.<\/p>\n