Vicente Bokalic Iglic was born in Lanús, in Buenos Aires province, on 11 June 1952, to Slovenian immigrants who had arrived in Argentina in 1949. He entered the Congregation of the Mission — the Vincentians — in 1970, made perpetual vows in 1976 and was ordained a priest in April 1978. He worked in vocations and youth ministry and served his congregation as formator, bursar and seminary superior. In 1994 he spent three years as a missionary in the territorial prelature of Deán Funes.
In March 2010 Benedict XVI appointed him auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires; he was consecrated on 29 May 2010 by Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio. Pope Francis named him Bishop of Santiago del Estero on 23 December 2013. On 22 July 2024 Francis elevated the diocese — the oldest see in Argentina, dating to 1570 — to an archdiocese, making Bokalic its first archbishop and transferring to him the title of Primate of Argentina from Buenos Aires. He was created a cardinal on 7 December 2024, with the title of Maria Maddalena in Campo Marzio. His motto is taken from Luke: “He sent me to evangelise the poor.”
Consequential Quotes
We live battered by poverty, discouragement, loneliness, injustices, violence of every kind and so much indifference provoked by selfishness, by the individualism that encloses us in ourselves and does not allow us to meet our brothers and sisters and take charge of so much pain.
Let us walk together to be leaven for a society that does not put first money, power and crushing force. Let us make the goal of our journey the love of Jesus, which is to recreate fraternity among all of us.
Let us keep to what is Jesus's, let us give the little we have generously. Jesus will work immense miracles, hope and consolation.
Just as we adore Jesus in the Eucharist, may we be able to find the Christ who truly lives in the helpless poor person.
Major Works & Initiatives
Archbishop and Primate of Argentina
First archbishop of Santiago del Estero; the primatial title moved from Buenos Aires.
Bishop of Santiago del Estero
A decade leading Argentina's 'mother of dioceses'.
Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires
Consecrated by the future Pope Francis.
Dicastery for Evangelization
Appointed by Pope Francis in January 2025 a member of the Dicastery for Evangelization.
Controversies
On the record
No significant public controversies reported.