Octavi Vilà, bishop of Girona, will replace Omella as archbishop of Barcelona

Octavi Vilà, currently the bishop of Girona, will succeed Cardinal Juan José Omella as the Archbishop of Barcelona. The Vatican is set to announce this appointment officially today. Speculation about Omella's successor had been ongoing since he turned 80, as bishops must resign at 75. Vilà, a Cistercian monk, was appointed bishop in 2024 and has a background in diplomacy due to his previous role as abbot of Poblet Monastery. His appointment coincides with a general strike in Spain and comes during a papal visit to Latin America. This change also necessitates finding a new bishop for Girona, which has been vacant since the previous bishop's death.