Rosario Livatino proclaimed patron of Italian magistrates by the Church

They recognized in the figure of Judge Livatino a role model, a special intercessor for those who administer justice every day

Blessed Rosario Angelo Livatino, by decree of 7 October 2026, was declared by the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments Patron of Italian magistrates. In all phases of the discernment and approval process, the Italian bishops supported the request of the promoting Committee, recognizing in the figure of Judge Livatino a reference model, a special intercessor for those who administer justice every day.

Zuppi: “He was able to combine legal science and Christian ethics”

"Judge Livatino distinguished himself as an authentic man of the law and faithful servant of the State. In his service to the community, he was capable of balancing truth with charity, legal science with Christian ethics and the act of judging with a discernment enlightened by faith and prayer in the exercise of his functions", underlines the card. Matteo Zuppi, Archbishop of Bologna and President of the CEI.

Rosario Livatino, the judge killed by Stidda beatified

Who he was

He was born in Canicattì in 1952, son of Vincenzo Livatino - employee of the municipal tax office - and Rosalia Corbo. Known for having rigorously dealt with numerous anti-mafia investigations, Rosario Livatino was murdered in 1990 by the Stidda - a mafia organization operating in Sicily - due to his commitment to the fight against organized crime. Rosario, deeply Catholic, was linked to the Christian movement of Catholic Action. Pope John Paul II, after his murder, defined him as a "martyr of justice and indirectly of faith". He was beatified in 2021.