Pope Francis elects a new butler, Daniele Cherubini

A new face appeared for the first time alongside Pope Francis at the Mass on Sunday, May 26 in St. Peter’s Square, celebrated on the occasion of the First World Children’s Day. This is Daniele Cherubini, the new “butler” and trusted man of the Holy Father.

After 11 years, Pope Francis has replaced Sandro Mariotti, the assistant who has accompanied him throughout his pontificate, since he was appointed by Benedict XVI in 2012, a year before Francis was elected Pope.

The then Pope Benedict XVI chose Mariotti after his former butler, Paolo Gabriele, was convicted following the scandal of A cotton swab for having leaked confidential documents of the Pope and the Vatican to the press.

The change of Mariotti, married with two children and who will occupy a new position in the Vatican, corresponds to an ordinary replacement and the Holy See has not offered further information on the matter.

From now on, Daniele Cherubini, who previously worked at the Vatican Health Care — known as Fas — will alternate with the Pontiff’s second assistant, former gendarme Piergiorgio Zanetti.

The butler of the Bishop of Rome is that trusted person, defined as the “chamber assistant” in the Pontifical Yearbook, who is next to the Holy Father at all times.

Although he must be reserved and maintain a low profile, he always accompanies the Pontiff on all his trips and public appearances.

In recent years, due to Pope Francis’ mobility problems, Mariotti has played a more active role, since he was also in charge of pushing his wheelchair and helping the Pontiff walk whenever he needed it.

It should be noted that, in addition to the butlers, Pope Francis has the help of two personal secretaries. In July 2023, he appointed Argentine priest Daniel Pellizzon as personal secretary, a position that the Pontiff changes every five years.