The Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (PUCPR), one of the largest private higher education institutions in southern Brazil, and the Congregation of the Marist Brothers confirmed the death of rector Brother Rogério Renato Mateucci at age 55. The university leader died on Friday (16) following an accident in Scottsdale, in the U.S. state of Arizona, prompting the immediate suspension of academic activities across all campuses in the state of Paraná.
The incident took place around 6:00 p.m. local time in the Phoenix metropolitan area while the educator was fulfilling an official work schedule abroad. Mateucci was part of an international delegation organized by Semesp, a Brazilian association of higher education maintaining entities based in São Paulo, with the objective of visiting the facilities of Arizona State University. The official statement released by the Brazilian university did not specify the mechanics of the accident, and American authorities have not yet released forensic reports regarding the exact circumstances of his death.
In a joint statement, PUCPR and the Congregation of the Marist Brothers, the religious order that maintains the institution, mourned the loss of the administrator. “Death is a ‘vigorous reality,’ a reality that awakens us and compels us to become aware of our deepest values; a reality that invites us to create, think, and seek meaning for life itself. And, for those who believe, life is not taken from us, but transformed. Therefore, united by faith in the resurrection, let us join now in prayer for our dearly departed Brother Rogério,” the official communiqué stated.
Paraná Governor Carlos Massa Ratinho Junior issued a formal message of condolence following the announcement. “I received with deep sorrow the news of the passing of the rector of PUCPR, Brother Rogério Renato Mateucci. My condolences go out to his family, friends, and the entire PUCPR community. May God comfort everyone in this moment of pain,” the state chief executive declared. Curitiba Mayor Eduardo Pimentel decreed official mourning in the state capital on Saturday (17). The National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB), the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), and the Araucária Foundation — where Mateucci served on the Superior Council representing higher education institutions in the state — also released statements paying tribute to his work.
Read also: Grand Canyon rangers recover human bones near Crystal Rapid
Schedule changes across the 3 PUCPR campuses and memorial services
The death of the university leader alters the schedule for thousands of students and staff members across the 3 PUCPR campuses located in the Paraná cities of Curitiba, Londrina, and Toledo. All in-person and remote classes were canceled for Saturday (17) and Monday (19) across every unit. On Monday (19), administrative operations will also remain completely suspended in all three municipalities.
A memorial mass honoring Rogério Renato Mateucci will be celebrated on Monday (19) at 5:30 p.m. Brasília time at the Jesus Mestre University Chapel on the Curitiba campus. The ceremony will be broadcast live to the academic community through the official PUCPR channel on YouTube. In neighboring Rio Grande do Sul, the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS) also scheduled a mass in his honor for Tuesday (20) at 6:10 p.m. at the Cristo Mestre University Church. University officials in Paraná informed that the date and time for the repatriation of the body to Brazil, as well as the schedule for the wake, funeral rites, and burial, remain undefined and will be announced once international transport procedures are finalized.
Keep reading: Jon Kyl, influential former Arizona Senator and GOP whip, dies at 84, remembered for service
Academic background and leadership career of Rogério Renato Mateucci
A religious member of the Congregation of the Marist Brothers, Mateucci had served as vice president of the Marist Group since 2015 and had recently been reappointed to a new four-year term as rector covering the 2026 to 2029 period. His reappointment was nominated by the Board of Directors of the Marist Group and ratified by the Dicastery for Culture and Education of the Holy See, the Vatican body that oversees Catholic educational institutions worldwide, during a ceremony led by the Archbishop of Curitiba and Grand Chancellor of PUCPR, Dom José Antônio Peruzzo.
- 2000: Completed his undergraduate degree in Pedagogy at Centro Universitário Filadélfia, earned a specialization in Higher Education Methodology from the State University of Londrina (UEL), and became director of Colégio Marista de Londrina, a post he held until 2005.
- 2009: Earned a master’s degree in Education Leadership, Administration, and Policies from Fordham University in New York, United States.
- 2012: Appointed director of Identity and Mission at PUCPR, serving in that administrative capacity until 2016.
- 2014: Completed his doctorate in Education Leadership, Administration, and Policies at Fordham University.
- 2017: Assumed the role of pro-rector for Mission, Identity, and Outreach at PUCPR, holding the position through 2021.
- 2022: Took office for his first term as rector of PUCPR.
- December 2025: Officially reappointed to lead the university rectory for the 2026–2029 term.
