Pope Leo XIV appoints Umberto Longo to Vatican committee

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Professor Umberto Longo to the Pontifical Committee for Historical Sciences. Longo is the director of the Italian Institute of Medieval History and a professor at Sapienza University of Rome.

The appointment has drawn scrutiny due to Longo’s documented associations with Masonic organizations. Reports indicate he has appeared at events organized by the Grand Orient of Italy and has been identified in publications related to the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. Specifically, a 2014 publication in the journal ‘Logos’ included an article signed by ‘Fr. Oratore Umberto Longo,’ where ‘Fr.’ is understood to be an abbreviation for ‘Fratello’ (Brother).

These connections have sparked debate regarding the compatibility of such an appointment with long-standing Catholic Church teachings, which have historically condemned membership in Freemasonry.