Pope Leo XIII appointed Dom Mário Antônio da Silva as the new archbishop of Aparecida, São Paulo, on Monday. This appointment comes after Dom Orlando Brandes completed his mandatory resignation as stipulated by Vatican guidelines. The Archdiocese of Aparecida is significant as it encompasses the National Sanctuary of Aparecida and several municipalities, including Guaratinguetá, Lagoinha, Potim, Roseira, and Aparecida itself.

Dom Mário, who is 59 years old and originally from Itararé, São Paulo, previously served as the metropolitan archbishop of Cuiabá. He was ordained a priest in 1991 in Jacarezinho, Paraná, and has held various positions within the church, including auxiliary bishop in Manaus and diocesan bishop of Roraima. He has been actively involved in church leadership, serving as the president of Cáritas Brazil and as vice president of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB) from 2019 to 2023.

Notably, Dom Mário has been vocal on social issues, having signed a joint statement from the CNBB condemning the use of religion in the 2022 electoral campaign and opposing the legalization of gambling. His appointment is seen as a continuation of the church's engagement with both societal issues and its internal governance, highlighting the role of the Catholic Church in contemporary Brazilian society.