Our Archbishop

Most Reverend Salvatore Cordileone

Archbishop of San Francisco

Salvatore Cordileone was appointed the Archbishop of San Francisco on July 27, 2012, and was installed on October 4, 2012, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption.

Since then, he has led the faithful of San Francisco with steadfast determination.

Latest from the Archbishop

Read Archbishop’s latest homilies, op-eds, statements, memos, and more.

“The Virtue of Waiting Upon the Lord and the Life of Religious Consecration”
Homily for the World Day for Consecrated Life; Feast of the Presentation of the Lord; St. Mary’s Cathedral
“Fulfilling the Last Commandment: Our Anchor of Hope for Eternal Life”
Votive Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Divine HopeMass for Annual Archdiocesan Women’s ConferenceFebruary 1, 2025; Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Introduction The other day I had the… Read More
Catholic Education: “Ever Ancient, Ever New”
Catholic Schools Week column for Catholic San Francisco magazine; January 2025
“The Pro-Life Turnaround and the Encounter with Light”
Homily for Mass on the Occasion of the Walk for Life West Coast; Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul; January 25, 2025; St. Mary’s Cathedral
“Planting Seeds and Reaping Fruit”
Homily for Mass of Ordination to the Priesthood of Br. Mikhael Josip Maria of the Holy Cross and the Holy Name of Jesus, COSJ; January 11, 2025; St. Patrick’s Seminary
“The Ever-Youthful Love of the One Who Makes All Things New”
Sermon for Solemn Requiem Mass for Professor William Peter Mahrt; January 10, 2025; Mission Dolores Basilica
“Light, Darkness and Our Gift Exchange with God”
Homily for Christmas Mass During the Night; December 25, 2023; St. Mary’s Cathedral
Lessons Learned from Contemplating the Nativity Scene
Christmas Column for the December 2024 Catholic San Francisco magazine

The coat of arms

The coat of arms of Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone celebrates the line of fishermen in his family. It presents a red crab against a silver background and a demi-lion with red claws holding a heart to honor the family name, Cordileone, which means “heart of a lion” from a literal translation of cor di leone.

The banner at the bottom includes his motto, “In Verbo Tuo,” translated, “At Your Word,” recalling the Gospel story of the apostles casting their nets at the Lord’s urging after fishing all night and catching nothing. Peter lets down the net on the strength of Christ’s command. “And Simon answered: ‘Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” (Luke 5:5)

Archbishop’s Circle

The Archbishop’s Circle consists of over eighty households representing about 110 individuals. Circle members support special programs identified by Archbishop Cordileone. Without the support of the Circle members, these initiatives would not be funded.

Support Archbishop Cordileone and his vision by funding special programs and initiatives

The Archbishop’s First Pastoral Letter

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you” (Jer 1:5). A young Jeremiah heard the Lord speak these words to him over 2500 years ago. In these times in which we are living, the scourge of abortion ignores the reality that humans are made in the image of God, known and beloved by God. This pastoral letter addresses all Catholics, but especially Catholics in public life, calling for deep reflection on the evil of abortion and on the meaning of receiving Holy Communion, the Bread of Life.