On July 16, 2023, Pope Francis appointed Br. Sandro Overend Rigillo, OFM, currently Apostolic Administrator of the Vicariate of Benghazi, Libya, as Apostolic Vicar of the same Vicariate.
Br. Sandro, a member of the Maltese Province of St. Paul the Apostle, was born in Sliema, Malta, on 31 January 1959. He made his first profession in 1977, his solemn profession in 1982 and was ordained a priest on 29 June 1984.
From 1997 to 2019, Br. Sandro served the Order in various fields: Rector of the Students of the International College of St. Anthony – Antonianum - in Rome (1996-2003), Secretary General of the Order and Coordinator of the Offices of the General Curia in Rome (2003-2006), Minister Provincial of the Province of San Paolo in Malta (2008-2014), Guardian of the Fraternity of Santa Maria Mediatrice in Rome, Delegate of the Minister General for the Franciscan Missions in Libya and Member of the Liturgical Commission of the Order (2015-2018).
On 8 December 2019 he was appointed Apostolic Administrator of Benghazi by Pope Francis.
The Minister General, Br. Massimo Fusarelli, in the name of the whole Order congratulates Br. Sandro and wishes him all the best in carrying out his episcopal ministry in favor of the Church and the people in Libya.
