Pope Leo XIV has appointed Jesuit Fr. Avelino Chicoma Bundo Chico, SJ, as Undersecretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, the Vatican announced on November 5.

Born on July 15, 1979, in Lobito, in Angola's Benguela province, Fr. Chico entered the Society of Jesus in 2002. He was ordained a priest on August 3, 2014, and made his perpetual profession on May 1, 2026.

The Jesuit priest brings a strong academic foundation to his new role, having earned a master's degree in social ethics in 2018 and a doctorate in contemporary international migration and development cooperation in 2019.

Fr. Chico has served at the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development since 2020, holding several progressively responsible positions. He first served as regional coordinator for Africa from 2020 to 2022, then as head of the Listening and Dialogue Section from 2022 to 2025, and since 2025 has served as office head.

In a statement following his appointment, Fr. Chico expressed his "deepest thanks to the Holy Father and the superiors of the Dicastery for the trust they have placed in me during these years of service at the Dicastery, particularly with regard to this new appointment."

"I like to think of this new role in terms of three words: presence, commitment, and witness," he said.

Reflecting on the weight of his new responsibilities, the Jesuit priest acknowledged the challenges ahead while expressing confidence in divine support.

"The responsibility that awaits me," Fr. Chico added, "is demanding and challenging, but I feel supported by God, my superiors, and everyone."

He drew inspiration from the words God spoke to the prophet Jeremiah, which he said "echo in my ears and in my heart": "Do not say, 'I am young.' You will go to all those to whom I send you and say everything I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to protect you."

About the Dicastery

The Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development is a department of the Roman Curia responsible for matters concerning integral human development, including issues of migration, health, charity, and social justice.