The Most Rev. Mark S. Rivituso, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of St. Louis since 2017, was named the Third Archbishop of Mobile on July 1 by Pope Leo XIV. Archbishop-elect Rivituso, 63, succeeds Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi, who submitted his notice of retirement on his 75th birthday, March 27, 2024.

Archbishop-elect Rivituso will be installed as Archbishop of Mobile by the Papal Nuncio to the United States, Cardinal Christophe Pierre. A date was not provided for the installation Mass; however, it should take place in late August or early September. In the interim, Pope Leo XIV named Archbishop Rodi as apostolic administrator of the archdiocese.

“I am most grateful to the Holy Father for sending us this outstanding bishop. I give thanks to God that the Spirit has guided this selection of our new archbishop,” Archbishop Rodi said. “I ask that we all keep Archbishop-elect Rivituso in our prayers as he prepares to serve as our next archbishop.”

Archbishop-elect Rivituso was born in St. Louis on Sept. 20, 1961, the sixth of eight children to August (Gus) and Rosemary Rivituso. He was baptized in 1961 at St. Wenceslaus Parish in St. Louis and attended St. Wenceslaus School. Archbishop-elect Rivituso attended Cardinal Glennon College and Kenrick Seminary, both in St. Louis. He also earned a licentiate in canon and civil law from St. Paul University in Ottawa, Canada. 

Archbishop-elect Rivituso also has a notable link to the Archdiocese of Mobile. He was ordained a priest on Jan. 16, 1988, by Archbishop John L. May, who led the then-Diocese of Mobile from 1969-1980 before being appointed to the Archdiocese of St. Louis.

Archbishop-elect Rivituso has ministered at several parishes throughout the St. Louis area, and he has also served as vicar general for the Archdiocese of St. Louis since 2011. 

To read Bishop Raica's welcome, please click here.