Joan Enric Vives i Sicília facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Most Reverend ArchbishopJoan-Enric Vives |
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Vives in 2022
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| Co-Prince of Andorra | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reign | 12 May 2003 – 31 May 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Predecessor | Joan Martí i Alanis | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Successor | Josep-Lluís Serrano Pentinat | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Co-Prince | Jacques Chirac (until 2007) Nicolas Sarkozy (2007–2012) François Hollande (2012–2017) Emmanuel Macron (from 2017) |
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Joan-Enric Vives i Sicília was born on July 24, 1949. He is a Spanish Catholic leader. From 2003 to 2025, he was the Bishop of Urgell. He also served as an important leader called the Co-Prince of Andorra. This means he shared the role of head of state for the small country of Andorra.
Contents
Life and Career
Early Life and Education
Joan-Enric Vives i Sicília was born in Barcelona, Spain. He was the third son in his family. His parents, Francesc Vives i Pons and Cornèlia Sicília Ibáñez, ran small shops.
In 1965, he began studying to become a priest. He learned about history, philosophy, and religion. In 1974, he became a priest in his hometown parish.
Becoming a Bishop
On June 9, 1993, Joan-Enric Vives was chosen to be an auxiliary bishop for Barcelona. An auxiliary bishop helps the main bishop. He also became a "titular bishop" of a place called Nona.
On September 5, 1993, he officially became a bishop. This ceremony is called an "episcopal consecration." It was led by Ricardo María Carles Gordó, who was the Archbishop of Barcelona.
Co-Prince of Andorra
On June 25, 2001, Pope John Paul II named him a "coadjutor bishop" for Urgell. A coadjutor bishop is chosen to take over when the current bishop retires.
When the previous bishop, Joan Martí Alanis, retired on May 12, 2003, Vives became the new Bishop of Urgell. At the same time, he also became a co-prince of Andorra. This is a special role because the Bishop of Urgell is automatically one of Andorra's two heads of state.
On July 10, 2003, he took an important promise called the Constitutional Oath. This happened in Andorra la Vella, the capital of Andorra. This promise officially made him a Co-Prince.
On March 19, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI gave him the special title of archbishop. This was a personal honor for him.
Retirement
On July 12, 2024, Pope Francis named Josep-Lluís Serrano Pentinat as the new coadjutor bishop of Urgell. This meant that Josep-Lluís Serrano Pentinat would take over from Vives when he retired.
Joan-Enric Vives officially opened the 2025 Games of the Small States of Europe in Andorra on May 27, 2025. These are sports games for small European countries.
On May 31, 2025, Pope Leo XIV accepted Vives's retirement. This ended his time as both the Bishop of Urgell and the Co-Prince of Andorra.
Awards and Recognitions
Joan-Enric Vives i Sicília received several important awards during his time as a leader. These awards are called "Honours."
Andorra:
Cross of the Seven Arms (July 10, 2024).
Portugal:
Grand Cross of the Order of Christ (March 5, 2010).
Grand Collar of the Order of Prince Henry (October 14, 2024).
See also
In Spanish: Joan-Enric Vives para niños
