The president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, has welcomed the appointment of Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia as the new apostolic nuncio in the United States. Pope Leo XIV appointed the Italian diplomat as his representative to the Church in the country on March 7.
Read also: Gabriele Giordano Caccia new Nuncio in the United States
Coakley expresses the US bishops’ welcome
Archbishop Coakley expressed his satisfaction with the appointment and assured the support of the US episcopate to the new pontifical representative, as reported in the greeting published by the USCCB.
«With joy I receive the news that our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, has appointed Archbishop Caccia as his personal representative and nuncio in the United States,» Coakley stated in a statement.
The president of the episcopal conference added that, on behalf of the country’s bishops, he wishes to convey to the new nuncio a «warm welcome» and his support in prayer as he carries out his mission in the United States.
«On behalf of my brother bishops, I wish to extend our warmest welcome and our support in prayer as he carries out his responsibilities throughout the country. We look forward to working with him,» he affirmed.
Recognition of Cardinal Christophe Pierre
In the same statement, Coakley also expressed his gratitude to Cardinal Christophe Pierre, who served as apostolic nuncio in the United States since 2016 and retired after turning 80.
The USCCB president recalled the various occasions on which he was able to collaborate with the French cardinal, especially in recent months through the episcopal conference.
«I sincerely thank Cardinal Pierre for his tireless service to the Church in the United States,» Coakley noted, who also conveyed his prayers and best wishes on the occasion of his retirement.