Fr Fidenzio Volpi, the apostolic commissioner of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate, has died after suffering a stroke. Fr Volpi was appointed to oversee the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate, founded in the 1970s, two years ago. He caused controversy during his tenure, with some friars leaving the order as a result. Fr Volpi’s death was announced on Sunday by the Lombardy Province of the Capuchins. He had been seriously ill for some months. According to Rorate Caeli: “When he was first hospitalised, there were rumours that his replacement would be a member of the Pope's own order, the Jesuits.” Fr Volpi’s funeral will be on Wednesday in Rome with a further service in Bergamo on Thursday.