Pope Leo XIV received in audience on the morning of this Monday, January 5, 2026, several prelates and ecclesiastical officials. Among them stands out the reception of Cardinal Pierre Christophe, Apostolic Nuncio in the United States, as reported by the Holy See in its official bulletin of audiences.
The audience with the pontifical representative in Washington takes place in a delicate international context, marked by recent decisions of the United States Government regarding the political and social situation in Venezuela and the capture of Nicolás Maduro, which have generated reactions both in the diplomatic and ecclesial spheres.
Read also: Keys to analyzing the situation in Venezuela without falling into simplistic pacifism
Although the Holy See has not offered details about the content of the meeting, as is customary, the figure of the Apostolic Nuncio in the United States holds special relevance in the face of the absence, to date, of an official pronouncement by the United States episcopate on these events.
Preparing the visit to Spain?
On the same day, the Holy Father also received in audience Monsignor Francisco José Prieto Fernández, Archbishop of Santiago de Compostela. This meeting gains relevance in the context of the existing expectations around a possible visit by Leo XIV to Spain, a trip that, if confirmed, would have strong symbolic and pastoral value, especially in relation to Santiago as one of the main spiritual centers of Europe.
Read also: Rome summons the Spanish bishops to prepare Leo XIV’s visit
Although no trip has been officially announced, the audience with the Compostelan archbishop is interpreted as part of the usual dialogue between the Roman Pontiff and the pastors of particular Churches, at a time when various European episcopates await definitions on the international agenda of the new pontificate.
Other audiences
In addition to Cardinal Christophe and the Archbishop of Santiago, the Pope received in audience Monsignor Luigi Mistò, president of the Board of Directors of the Health Assistance Fund.
Likewise, several archbishops and bishops were received: Monsignor Giorgio Ferretti, Archbishop of Foggia-Bovino (Italy); Monsignor Daniele Libanori, Titular Bishop of Buruni; Monsignor Vincenzo Paglia, Emeritus Archbishop-Bishop of Terni-Narni-Amelia (Italy); Monsignor Gian Franco Saba, Military Ordinary Archbishop for Italy; and Monsignor Fabio Dal Cin, Prelate Archbishop of Loreto (Italy).