Leo XIV has promulgated the apostolic letter Immota Manet, in the form of a Motu Proprio, by which he orders that the five central prefectures of the Diocese of Rome—from I to V—be reintegrated into a single Central Sector, as it traditionally existed before the recent reorganization. The document is dated November 11, 2025, on the memorial of St. Martin and published this Wednesday.
Continuity with Francis's motu proprio
The text emphasizes that the motivations of the motu proprio La vera bellezza, published by Pope Francis on October 4, 2024, are kept intact. Leo XIV recalls that some of those reflections were linked to the Jubilee Year, during which—he states—the pastoral homogeneity of Rome's central territory has become even clearer.
For this reason, he restores the unified structure of the Central Sector.
How is the Diocese of Rome organized?
The Diocese of Rome, entrusted directly to the Pope, is pastorally articulated into territorial sectors to facilitate the care and coordination of parishes, religious communities, movements, and ecclesial realities.
Traditionally, Rome has been divided into five Sectors: North, South, East, West, and Center.
The Central Sector—the oldest, most historical, and densest in ecclesial presence—had been subdivided into five independent prefectures. With the new Motu Proprio, these prefectures return to form a single sector, as a coherent pastoral unit in the heart of the diocese.
Immediate entry into force
Leo XIV establishes that what is provided shall have “firm and stable validity”, even in the face of contrary norms “worthy of special mention”, hence the name Immota Manet (remains immovable). He also orders its publication in L’Osservatore Romano, with immediate entry into force on the same day of its dissemination, and its subsequent incorporation into the Acta Apostolicae Sedis.
The Motu Proprio constitutes the first territorial reorganization signed by Leo XIV in his first year of pontificate.