Vatican removes priest Massimo Biancalani from Italian parishes

The Vatican has stripped Father Massimo Biancalani of his pastoral duties at the Santa Maria Maggiore a Vicofaro and San Niccolò a Ramini parishes in Pistoia, Italy. The Holy See rejected two appeals filed by the priest, ending his decade-long tenure after he transformed the historic Tuscan parishes into housing for approximately 200 migrants.

Local authorities and health inspectors had previously flagged the facilities as unsanitary fire hazards and public health risks. The situation led to significant local tension, including the flight of parishioners and the need for police intervention to conduct evictions. Reports indicated that the presence of large numbers of migrants contributed to issues such as drug dealing, crime, and a decline in local property values.

Bishop Fausto Tardelli had previously revoked Biancalani’s legal representation of the parish due to his obstruction of eviction efforts. While the priest has sixty days to file another appeal, the Vatican's decision marks a significant conclusion to a long-standing conflict between the priest's pro-migrant activism and local municipal authorities.