Vatican diplomats

The Latest

Pope Francis addresses international diplomats to the Holy See on Jan. 9, 2023, in the Vatican's Blessing Hall.

To counter ‘third world war,’ Pope Francis proposes ‘truth, justice, solidarity, and freedom’

Jan 9, 2023

By Jonathan Liedl

Pope Francis Monday gave his annual address to Vatican diplomats, describing the speech as “a call for peace in a... Read more

Archbishop Paul Gallagher in 2018.

Archbishop Paul Gallagher to represent Pope Francis at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral

Sep 16, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

Pope Francis’ representative at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II will be veteran Vatican diplomat Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Holy... Read more

Pope Francis meets with members of the AVSI Foundation for the 'Open Hospitals' Project in Syria at the Vatican's Clementine Hall, Sept. 3, 2022.

'Hope is dying' in Syria, nuncio says

Sep 3, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis’ representative in Syria has said people are losing hope as the Syrian civil war continues and widespread poverty... Read more

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Hong Kong. Credit: Volodymyr Dvornyk/Shutterstock

Hong Kong missionary head reportedly warned Chinese repression could worsen

Jul 5, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

A Catholic priest overseeing missionaries serving in Hong Kong reportedly told the missionaries that they should prepare for a much... Read more

Charles de Foucauld

Pope Francis to future Vatican diplomats: See St Charles de Foucauld as model

Jun 9, 2022

By CNA Staff

The pope was speaking to members of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy. Read more

Pope Francis attends the funeral Mass of Cardinal Angelo Sodano in St. Peter’s Basilica, May 31, 2022.

With Cardinal Sodano’s death, an era has come to a close

Jun 1, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

At his peak, the Italian cardinal was arguably the Vatican’s most influential personality. Read more

Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, the apostolic nuncio to Ukraine.

Why the pope’s representative in Kyiv is fighting ‘fake news’

Apr 13, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The nunciature denied claims that Vladimir Putin has accounts at the ‘Vatican bank.’ Read more

The flags of the People’s Republic of China and of Vatican City.

Are diplomatic relations between the Vatican and Beijing on the horizon?

Feb 11, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Two personnel moves have prompted speculation that the Vatican is changing its diplomatic strategy. Read more

Catholics pictured near the Co-Cathedral of St. Alexander in Kyiv, Ukraine. April 3, 2021.

Archbishop Gallagher: Innocent people will suffer from conflict in Ukraine

Jan 26, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Vatican’s foreign minister said Wednesday, in reference to tensions between Ukraine and Russia, that it is a scandal that... Read more

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, speaks at a press conference in Rome, Sept. 28, 2017.

World needs action to back COVID vaccines and health care access, Cardinal Parolin tells UN

Sep 27, 2021

By Kevin J. Jones

The failure to provide health care access, testing, and vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic deserves global scrutiny, Cardinal Pietro Parolin... Read more

Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican secretary for relations with states.

Archbishop Gallagher at UN: 'Racism can and must be defeated'

Sep 23, 2021

By Jonah McKeown

The Vatican’s foreign minister on Wednesday addressed heads of state at the United Nations, noting that the Church is “engaged... Read more

A view of St. Peter's Basilica from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross.

Australian Cardinal Edward Cassidy, Vatican official and diplomat, dies at 96

Apr 10, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The retired cardinal had been a Vatican nuncio and Holy See official for over 30 years. Read more

Apostolic nuncio accused of money laundering to enter plea bargain

Feb 9, 2021

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Archbishop Ettore Balestrero, the apostolic nuncio to the Democratic Republic of Congo, announced last week that he will enter a... Read more

Pope Francis meets with the diplomats accredited to the Holy See at the Vatican's Hall of Blessing Feb. 8, 2021. Credit: Vatican Media/CNA.

Pope Francis tells diplomats 'right to life' is a foundational human right

Feb 8, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis told diplomats at the Vatican Monday that it is “painful” for him to see more countries move away... Read more

 The Vatican flag flies over St. Peter's Square, April 26, 2014.

Pope Francis accepts resignation of former nuncio to Chile

Jul 31, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis Friday accepted the resignation of Vatican diplomat Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto as an apostolic nuncio.  Read more

Archbishop Luigi Ventura, then-Apostolic Nuncio to Canada, speaks at a Mass and Concert held in Ottawa, April 2, 2009.

Ex-nuncio to France to face trial in Paris on sexual assault charges

Jul 23, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

A retired Vatican diplomat accused of sexual assault while in office is due to appear before the Paris criminal court... Read more

French president Emmanuel Macron (L) greets Archbishop Luigi Ventura, Apostolic Nuncio to France, in Paris, Jan. 4, 2018.

French nuncio accused of sexual misconduct during time in Canada

Mar 1, 2019

Archbishop Luigi Ventura, apostolic nuncio to France, has been accused of sexual misconduct against an adult male while he was... Read more

Józef Wesolowski, former apostolic nuncio to the Dominican Republic.

Vatican postpones criminal trial of ex-nuncio on pedophilia charges

Jul 11, 2015

The criminal court of Vatican City State held on Saturday the first hearing in the trial of Jozef Wesolowski, the... Read more

Former U.S. ambassador to the Holy See Miguel Diaz.

Former Vatican ambassador faced sexual harassment claim

May 8, 2014

By Kevin J. Jones

A University of Dayton investigation in 2013 found “reasonable cause” to believe that former U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See... Read more

The Irish flag.

Church officials laud re-opening of Irish embassy to Vatican

Jan 22, 2014

By Elise Harris

An announcement that Ireland's government will re-open its embassy to the Holy See came as welcome news to Church officials,... Read more