Vitorino José Pereira Soares, 65, received his formation at the Minor and Major Seminaries of the Diocese of Porto and studied philosophy and theology at the Catholic University of Portugal, the Apostolic Nunciature in Portugal announced in a statement.

Ordained a priest for the Diocese of Porto in 1985, Vitorino Soares served as a military chaplain for the Serra do Pilar Regiment in Porto, assisted at the parish of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, served as prefect at the Major Seminary, and directed the Diocesan Secretariat for Youth Pastoral Care.

He also served as parish priest for Castelões de Cepeda and Madalena, as Vicar of the Paredes Vicariate, and as a member of the Diocesan Pastoral Council.

Appointed Titular Bishop of Gisipa and Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Porto in July 2019, he received episcopal ordination in September of that same year, continuing his path in the Diocese of Porto.

He currently serves as Rector of the Major Seminary of Porto and President of the Episcopal Commission for Vocations and Ministries of the Portuguese Episcopal Conference.

The new Bishop of the Algarve succeeds Manuel Neto Quintas, who resigned in 2024 after reaching the canonical age limit of 75 for the office.

His request to be relieved of his duties as diocesan bishop because of the canonical age limit was granted by Pope Leo XIV.

Manuel Quintas had been appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Algarve in 2000 by Saint John Paul II and became diocesan bishop in 2004, succeeding Manuel Madureira Dias.