New Delhi, April 7: The Indian Foreign Ministry organized a farewell dinner for Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, the Apostolic Nuncio (Ambassador) of the Holy See (Vatican) in India, marking the conclusion of his diplomatic tenure.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared details of the event on the social media platform X. He noted, “Secretary (West) Siby George hosted a dinner to bid farewell to Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, the Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See in India. The Secretary expressed gratitude for his contributions to strengthening relations between the two countries and wished him success in his future endeavors.”
The dinner, hosted by Siby George, was attended by senior officials and included discussions on the positive relations between India and the Holy See, the central governing body of the Roman Catholic Church.
The event featured group photos and handshakes between Archbishop Girelli and Indian officials, highlighting the close diplomatic engagement during his tenure.
Archbishop Girelli served as the Vatican’s ambassador to India and Nepal from 2021 until his recent appointment in Croatia in March 2026. During his tenure, he played a crucial role in promoting dialogue between India and the Holy See, particularly in areas of mutual interest such as social outreach, education, and interfaith engagement.
The Apostolic Nuncio acts as a diplomatic representative of the Holy See, facilitating dialogue between the Catholic Church and the host country’s government. They also assist in fostering significant diplomatic cooperation.
India and the Holy See have maintained diplomatic relations since 1948. Over the decades, this relationship has been characterized by regular high-level dialogues and collaboration on humanitarian and social issues. Archbishop Girelli’s tenure is viewed as a continuation of efforts to maintain and deepen these ties.
His transfer to Croatia is part of the Vatican’s routine diplomatic reshuffle, and the incoming ambassador to India is expected to continue discussions based on established bilateral priorities.
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