Rome, February 14, 2025 — The Diocese of Tivoli and Palestrina has excommunicated 61-year-old Father Natale Santonocito, a parish priest who publicly declared Pope Francis an “antipapa” (antipope), accusing him of illegitimately holding office. The move underscores rising tensions within traditional Catholic circles over the validity of Francis’s papacy following Benedict XVI’s 2013 resignation.

Automatic Excommunication
The diocese announced on Friday that Santonocito incurred automatic excommunication under Canons 751 (heresy/schism) and 1364 §1 (rejection of papal authority) after he posted videos alleging Benedict XVI never validly resigned. Ordained in 2023, Santonocito argued that Benedict’s resignation applied only to the ministerium (administrative duties), not the munus petrinum (divine papal office), thereby invalidating Francis’s 2013 election.

In a January 29 video, Santonocito donned white papal vestments and declared, “For 11 years, we’ve had an antipope.” Bishop Mauro Parmeggiani, after an urgent investigation, deemed the priest’s views “incompatible with his ministry,” stripping him of duties and warning followers against his “dangerous” claims.

Broader Pattern of Dissent
Santonocito is the fourth cleric recently disciplined for rejecting Francis’s legitimacy:

Carmelite priest Giorgio María Faré was expelled from his order for accusing Francis of “multiple heresies” and urging a new conclave.

In 2024, Father Roman Guidetti (Livorno) called Francis a “usurper” during a homily, leading to his excommunication.