Archbishop Kurtz Welcomes Appointment of Archbishop Pierre as Apostolic Nuncio to the United States

WASHINGTON—Pope Francis has appointed Archbishop Christophe Pierre, titular archbishop of Gunela, as the new apostolic nuncio to the United States. Archbishop Pierre, 70, has served as nuncio to Mexico since 2007 and succeeds Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, who has held the post since 2011 and reached the retirement age of 75 in January.

Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, welcomed the April 12 appointment:

"On behalf of my brother bishops in the United States, I extend Archbishop Pierre a heartfelt greeting and my prayerful support as he embarks on his service to our country. A shared closeness with the Church in Mexico already creates a strong fraternal bond between us. With fond affection, allow me to also thank Archbishop Viganò for his selfless contributions to the life of the Church in the United States."

Christophe Pierre was born January 30, 1946 in Rennes, France. He was ordained a priest in 1970 and has previously served as nuncio to Haiti (1995-1999) and Uganda (1999-2007). An apostolic nuncio is the pope's personal representative in a country that has full diplomatic relations with the Holy See.
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Keywords: Pope Francis, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States, Vatican, Holy See, Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, USCCB, U.S. bishops, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
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