Fernando Chomalí

A moral theologian and bioethicist, member of the Pontifical Academy for Life, Cardinal Chomalí firmly opposes abortion and euthanasia, describing them as a failure of society that resolves hard situations through violence. He also stresses that the Church is 'not a club of the good' but of those who need salvation. No public opposition by him to Fiducia supplicans or Amoris laetitia has been found.

Cardinal Chomalí re-authorised the regular celebration of the 1962 Missal in the Archdiocese of Santiago from 8 December 2024, after four years of restrictions under his predecessor. He has applied Traditionis custodes generously without publicly criticising it.

Cardinal Chomalí combines social and pro-life concerns. In 2021 he asked President-elect Gabriel Boric to protect the unborn, the sick, undocumented migrants, the homeless and people with disabilities, and to fight corruption. In 2025 he said migration had not harmed Chile and warned against xenophobia, and he supports a free and sovereign Palestinian state living in peace with Israel.

Pope Francis appointed Cardinal Chomalí Archbishop of Santiago in 2023 and created him cardinal in 2024; he was regarded as a trusted adviser during Chile's 2018 abuse crisis. In 2015 he met Francis to convey the negative impact of the appointment of Bishop Juan Barros in Osorno. He has described a good relationship with Francis and support for his leadership.

Of Palestinian descent, Cardinal Chomalí has repeatedly called for peace in the Holy Land, celebrating Masses for peace in the Middle East with members of Chile's Arab community and praising their choice of non-violence and sincere dialogue. No structured interreligious initiative by him has been documented.

Cardinal Chomalí is an active user of social media and gives frequent interviews to the Chilean press. Former students describe him as an intellectual who welcomes contradiction and dialogue, and he presents himself as a pastor with a sense of humour and 'no ambition for power'.