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.

“Honoring God, Remembering Our Heroes, and Preserving the Soul of Our Culture”
Our purpose in coming together tonight – remembering those who have been forgotten, those who have been displaced, made homeless and have become invisible to society – makes it difficult… Read More
“Looking to the Higher Things as Stewards of God’s Blessings”
Our stewardship of God’s gifts, then, is essentially a spirituality of gratitude.  We receive all of these blessings with the humble gratitude that recognizes that they are not really our… Read More
“True Belief and the Path to Lasting Peace and Joy”
Let us, then, choose the path of belief, not just with our lips but with our whole lives.  Let us dwell in the light and spread that light to the… Read More
“To Hold Accountable and to Bless: The Father as the Image of Christ the Great High Priest”
The man represents – incarnates – the principle of Christ, the head of the Church who sacrifices everything to be the bridge that brings us to God his Father. 
“Ethical Catholic Health Care: The Art of Healing and Integrity”
Thank you for your commitment to living by and building up ethical healthcare.  Our good Catholic people need to know that there are medical professionals in whose hands they can… Read More
Modern Martyrs of Communism
Why do so few Americans pay attention to the horrors of Marxist-leaning regimes? For me, an even more troubling question is: Why do Catholics know so little about the martyrs and… Read More
“Equipping Young People for Excellence, All the Way to Eternity”
What is it that would move a young person to seek to live a deeply spiritual life?  To dedicate his or her life to Jesus Christ, even to the point… Read More
“The Frightening Freedom of Being the Children of God”
At the beginning of this new year, so filled with hope and good will, let us, then, ask God for this grace: to live in the true freedom of being… Read More

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.