Pope Leon XIV. named the new nuncio in Slovenia, which also knows Croatian

Seat has announced today that pope Leon XIV. appointed an Italian Archbishop as a new Apostolic Nuncio in Slovenia Luigi Bianca. Archbishop Bianco who has so far served as an apostolic nuncio in Uganda will be on an important diplomatic position succeeded the French Archbishop Jean-Marie Speich. The latter, according to the Slovenian Bishops’ Conference, will leave Slovenia on 19 June. At the same time as his appointment to Slovenia, Archbishop Bianco was also appointed an apostolic delegate in Kosovo.

Luigi Bianco was born on March 3, 1960 in Montemagno, Piedemont, Italy. He received the priestly consecration relatively early, 30 March 1985, barely 25 years old, in his parent diocese of Casale Monferrato. He crowned his academic career with a doctorate from canonical law at the Pontifical University of Urbanian in Rome, which opened the door to the diplomatic service of the Holy See, where he entered July 1989.

His early diplomatic years led him through various cultures and political contexts: he first served on nunciation in Italy (1989–1991), then in Egypt (1991-1994), Argentina (1994–1999), in neighboring Croatia (1999-2002), which gave him a valuable insight into the region and and last in Spain. (2002–2009).

The turning point of his career performed 12. January 2009 when the pope Benedict XVI. appointed an apostolic nuncio in Honduras. With this appointment he also received the Falerone Archbishop’s headquarters. He was dedicated to the bishop on 25 April of the same year at the Cathedral of Sant’evasio in Casale Monferrat. The main consecrier was the then Vatican State Secretary, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.

Pope Francis recognized his diplomatic abilities and named him the Apostolic Nuncio in Ethiopia on July 12, 2014. Shortly thereafter, on September 10, 2014, his responsibilities spread to the appointment for the Apostolic Nuncio in Jibuti and the Apostolic Delegate in Somalia. He also became a special representative of the Holy See at the African Union, which testifies to trust in his ability to act in a complex African political environment. Finally, on February 4, 2019, Pope Francis named him the Apostolic Nuncio in Uganda, where he performed in Kampala on 8 April 2019.

To work in demanding environments and an emphasis on peace

The service of Archbishop of Bianc was often marked by work in demanding and dangerous regions. During his term in Ethiopia, Jibuti and Somalia, as reported by the Catholic Press Network Ameceaworked in areas where Christians are often a minority or even persecuted, especially in Somalia. On one occasion, Bianco himself emphasized that God calls his servants right where « where humanity is the most wounded, » encouraging the constant personal renewal and overcoming known.

During the service in Uganda, as reported by the Agency FidesArchbishop Bianco has repeatedly called for pursuit of peace, respect for the fundamental human rights and the dignity of each person. He encouraged leaders and communities there to become ambassadors of peace and cultivate the spirit of dialogue, reconciliation and mutual listening.

Archbishop Bianco is a polyglot; In addition to native Italian, he speaks English, French, Spanish and, which can be important to Slovenia, also Croatia.

The role of the apostolic nuncio and the delegate

The apostolic nuncio plays a dual role. On the one hand, he is a permanent diplomatic representative of the holy headquarters in the country or international organization and has the status of an extraordinary and authorized ambassador in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961.

On the other hand, he is a personal representative of the Pope at the Local Catholic Church. In this role, he performs internal church tasks, in accordance with the provisions of church law. Among other things, he is involved in the process of selecting and appointing new bishops, conducting a list of priests suitable for the bishop’s service, and placing newly appointed bishops in the Pope’s name.

The role of an apostolic delegate, as Bianc’s task in Kosovo, is as a representative of the Holy See at the Local Church in the territory where the holy seat has no full diplomatic relations with the country.