A nuncio is a Vatican diplomat with the rank of ambassador. He is responsible for diplomatic relations with the government, but also serves as the Pope’s representative to the Church in a given country, which includes responsibility for coordinating the search for and vetting of candidates to become bishops.
Archbishop Christopher Pierre has been appointed as new apostolic Nuncio to the United States of America, to succeed Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano who has been been the nuncio since 2011. Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano is being replaced due to his age, as he turned 75 January this year, which is the age range at which canon law requires bishops to run their resignation into the pope.
The newly appointed nuncio to America, Archbishop Christopher Pierre is also the papal nuncio to Mexico since 2007.
The US Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky affirms that Archbishop Pierre will be a good replacement the out-going ambassador, saying; “A shared closeness with the Church in Mexico already creates a strong fraternal bond between us,”
“With fond affection, allow me also to thank Archbishop Vigano for his selfless contributions to the life of the Catholic Church in the United States,” Archbishop Kurtz added.
