By Our Reporter,
ROME
An Italian priest has been excommunicated after publicly declaring on YouTube that Pope Francis is an “antipope” and insisting that his predecessor, Benedict XVI, never truly renounced the papacy.
Father Natale Santonocito, 61, a parish priest from the Diocese of Tivoli and Palestrina, southeast of Rome, was stripped of his ministerial duties following a series of online videos in which he challenged the validity of Pope Francis’ election.
In one of the videos, Santonocito stated, “The Pope is not the Pope. He never was.” He further argued that Benedict XVI’s resignation in 2013 did not meet the canonical requirements for abdication.
His declarations led Bishop Parmeggiani to launch an investigation, concluding that his statements were incompatible with the Church’s teachings. The diocese formally declared his excommunication, warning the faithful against embracing his views.
Santonocito’s case is the latest in a growing pattern of priests openly rejecting Pope Francis.
In January 2024, Father Roman Guidetti of Livorno was excommunicated after proclaiming in a homily that Francis was not the Pope. Similarly, in November 2024, Argentinian priest Fernando María Cornet was excommunication for publishing a book which questioned the legitimacy of the Francis papacy. That same month, Carmelite priest Giorgio Maria Faré was expelled from his order after posting a video accusing Francis of heresy and calling for the election of a new pope.
Under Canon Law, the Church maintains that public rejection of a legitimate pope constitutes schism, carrying severe canonical consequences such as automatic excommunication.
