Apostolic Nunciature To São Tomé And Príncipe
The Apostolic Nunciature to São Tomé and Príncipe is an ecclesiastical office of the Catholic Church in São Tomé and Príncipe. It is a diplomatic post of the Holy See, whose representative is called the Apostolic Nuncio with the rank of an ambassador. The title Apostolic Nuncio to São Tomé and Príncipe is held by the prelate appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Angola; he resides in Angola. The Holy See and São Tomé and Príncipe established diplomatic relations on 12 December 1984, and the Holy See established its Nunciature to São Tomé and Príncipe on 21 December 1984. List of papal representatives to São Tomé and Príncipe ;Apostolic Pro-Nuncios *Fortunato Baldelli (4 May 1985 - 20 April 1991) * Félix del Blanco Prieto (31 May 1991 - 4 May 1996) ;Apostolic Nuncios * Aldo Cavalli (2 July 1996 - 28 June 2001) *Giovanni Angelo Becciu (15 November 2001 - 23 July 2009) * Novatus Rugambwa (6 February 2010 - 5 March 2015) *Petar Rajič (15 June 2015 - 15 June 2019) * Giov ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Catholic Church
The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwide as of 2025. It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions and has played a prominent role in the history and development of Western civilization.Gerald O'Collins, O'Collins, p. v (preface). The church consists of 24 Catholic particular churches and liturgical rites#Churches, ''sui iuris'' (autonomous) churches, including the Latin Church and 23 Eastern Catholic Churches, which comprise almost 3,500 dioceses and Eparchy, eparchies List of Catholic dioceses (structured view), around the world, each overseen by one or more Bishops in the Catholic Church, bishops. The pope, who is the bishop of Rome, is the Papal supremacy, chief pastor of the church. The core beliefs of Catholicism are found in the Nicene Creed. The ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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São Tomé And Príncipe
São Tomé and Príncipe, officially the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, is an island country in the Gulf of Guinea, off the western equatorial coast of Central Africa. It consists of two archipelagos around the two main islands of São Tomé and Príncipe, about apart and about off the northwestern coast of Gabon. With a population of 201,800 (2018 official estimate),Instituto Nacional de Estadística de São Tomé e Príncipe, as of 13 May 2018. São Tomé and Príncipe is the second-smallest and second-least populous African sovereign state after Seychelles. The islands were uninhabited until Portuguese explorers João de Santarém and Pedro Escobar became the first Europeans to discover them in 1470. Gradually colonized and settled throughout the 16th century, they collectively served as a vital commercial and trade centre for the Atlantic slave trade. The rich volcanic soil and proximity to the equator made São Tomé and Príncipe ideal for sugar ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Holy See
The Holy See (, ; ), also called the See of Rome, the Petrine See or the Apostolic See, is the central governing body of the Catholic Church and Vatican City. It encompasses the office of the pope as the Bishops in the Catholic Church, bishop of the apostolic see, apostolic episcopal see of Diocese of Rome, Rome, and serves as the spiritual and administrative authority of the worldwide Catholic Church and Vatican City. Under international law, the Legal status of the Holy See, Holy See holds the status of a sovereign juridical entity. According to Sacred tradition, Catholic tradition and historical records, the Holy See was founded in the first century by Saint Peter and Paul the Apostle, Saint Paul. By virtue of the doctrines of Primacy of Peter, Petrine and papal primacy, papal primacy, it is the focal point of full communion for Catholics around the world. The Holy See is headquartered in, operates from, and exercises "exclusive dominion" over Vatican City, an independent c ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Apostolic Nuncio
An apostolic nuncio (; also known as a papal nuncio or simply as a nuncio) is an ecclesiastical diplomat, serving as an envoy or a permanent diplomatic representative of the Holy See to a state or to an international organization. A nuncio is appointed by and represents the Holy See, and is the head of the diplomatic mission, called an apostolic nunciature, which is the equivalent of an embassy. The Holy See is legally distinct from the Vatican City or the Catholic Church. In modern times, a nuncio is usually an Archbishop. An apostolic nuncio is generally equivalent in rank to that of ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary, although in Catholic countries the nuncio often ranks above ambassadors in diplomatic protocol. A nuncio performs the same functions as an ambassador and has the same diplomatic privileges. Under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, to which the Holy See is a party, a nuncio is an ambassador like those from any other country. The Vienna ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Apostolic Nunciature To Angola
The Apostolic Nunciature to Angola is an ecclesiastical office of the Roman Catholic Church in Angola. It is a diplomatic post of the Holy See, whose representative is called the Apostolic Nuncio with the rank of an ambassador. The Holy See has full diplomatic ties with Angola as well as most other countries. The Apostolic Nuncio to Angola is usually also the Apostolic Nuncio to São Tomé and Príncipe upon his appointment to said nation. Nuncios * Giovanni De Andrea (14 April 1975 - 26 January 1983) *Fortunato Baldelli (12 February 1983 - 20 April 1991) * Félix del Blanco Prieto (31 May 1991 - 4 May 1996) * Aldo Cavalli (2 July 1996 - 28 June 2001) *Giovanni Angelo Becciu (15 October 2001 - 23 July 2009) * Novatus Rugambwa (20 February 2010 - 5 March 2015) *Petar Rajič (15 June 2015 – 15 June 2019) * Giovanni Gaspari (21 September 2020 – 2 March 2024) * Kryspin Witold Dubiel (1 July 2024 – present) See also * Apostolic Nunciature * Foreign relations of the Holy See * ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Secretariat Of State (Holy See)
The Secretariat of State (Latin: ''Secretaria Status''; Italian: ''Segreteria di Stato'') is the oldest dicastery in the Roman Curia, the central papal governing bureaucracy of the Catholic Church. It is headed by the Cardinal Secretary of State and performs all the political and diplomatic functions of the Holy See. The Secretariat is divided into three sections: the Section for General Affairs, the Section for Relations with States, and, since 2017, the Section for Diplomatic Staff. History of the Secretariat of State The origins of the Secretariat of State go back to the fifteenth century. The apostolic constitution '' Non Debet Reprehensibile'' of 31 December 1487 established the ''Secretaria Apostolica'' comprising twenty-four apostolic secretaries, one of whom bore the title ''Secretarius Domesticus'' and held a position of pre-eminence. One can also trace to this ''Secretaria Apostolica'' the Chancery of Briefs, the Secretariat of Briefs to Princes and the Secretariat ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Fortunato Baldelli
Fortunato Baldelli (6 August 1935 – 20 September 2012) was an Italian prelate of the Catholic Church who was appointed a cardinal in 2010 after a career in the diplomatic service of the Holy See from 1966 to 2009 that included ten years as Apostolic Nuncio to France. He was also the Major Penitentiary of the Apostolic Penitentiary from 2009 to 2012. Biography After finishing his primary education, he entered the Seminary of Assisi in 1947, where he finished his secondary education. He was able to continue his education through the death of his parents with the help of his brothers and the assistance of Bishop Placido Nicolini of Assisi. In 1957, Nicolini sent him to the Major Roman Seminary; he attended the Pontifical Lateran University and obtained a licentiate in theology. He earned a doctorate in canon law. Baldelli was ordained priest for the Diocese of Assisi-Nocera Umbra-Gualdo Tadino on 18 March 1961. From 1961 to 1964, he was vice-rector of the Minor Seminary of As ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Félix Del Blanco Prieto
Félix del Blanco Prieto (June 15, 1937 – April 10, 2021) was a Spanish prelate of the Catholic Church who spent his career in the diplomatic service of the Holy See, including stints heading the missions in countries such as Angola and Malta among other countries. He was then appointed Almoner of the office of Papal Charities in 2007 and retired from the same position in 2012. Biography Early life. Félix del Blanco Prieto was born in Morgovejo, Castilla y León, Spain, on June 15, 1937. Career He was ordained a priest on May 27, 1961. He served as secretary to Secretary of State Cardinal Agostino Casaroli. On May 31, 1991, Pope John Paul II named him a titular archbishop, Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to São Tomé and Príncipe, and Apostolic Delegate to Angola. He received his episcopal consecration from Cardinal Agostino Casaroli on 6 July 1991. On May 5, 1996, Pope John Paul appointed him Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon, adding the title Apostolic Nuncio to Equatorial Guinea ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Aldo Cavalli
Aldo Cavalli (born 18 October 1946) is an Italian prelate of the Catholic Church who joined the diplomatic service of the Holy See in 1979 and served as an apostolic nuncio from 1996 to 2021. In November 2021 he became Apostolic Visitor to Medjugorje. He has been an archbishop since 1996. Biography Cavalli was born in Lecco, Italy, on 18 October 1946. On 18 March 1971, he was ordained a priest in Bergamo. He then taught literature for several years at a seminary while he studied political science and social sciences. In 1975 he began his studies in diplomacy at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy. He studied canon law and theology and completed a degree in political science. Cavalli joined the diplomatic service of the Holy See on 15 April 1979 and fulfilled assignments in Burundi, Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe, Chile, Colombia, Libya, and Malta. Cavalli was named Apostolic Delegate to Angola, Apostolic Nuncio to São Tomé and Principe, and titular archbishop of Vibo ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Giovanni Angelo Becciu
Giovanni Angelo Becciu (, ; born 2 June 1948) is a Sardinian Catholic prelate and convicted felon who was prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints from 2018 until his resignation under duress in 2020. Pope Francis had made him a cardinal in 2018. On 24 September 2020, Becciu resigned the rights associated with the cardinalate while retaining the title of cardinal. In July 2021, a Vatican judge ordered Becciu and nine others to stand trial on charges of embezzlement, abuse of office and subornation. On 16 December 2023, the Vatican announced that he had been found guilty and sentenced to five years and six months imprisonment, permanent disqualification from public office, and a fine of €8,000. An archbishop since 2001, he held several appointments in the diplomatic service of the Holy See between 1984 and 2011, including those of Apostolic Nuncio to Angola and to Cuba. From 2011 to 2018 he was Substitute for General Affairs in the Secretariat of State, a key po ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Novatus Rugambwa
Novatus Rugambwa (born 8 October 1957) is a Tanzanian prelate of the Catholic Church and diplomat of the Holy See. Biography Novatus Rugambwa was born on 8 October 1957, in Bukoba, Tanzania, and was ordained a priest on 6 July 1986, for the Latin Catholic Diocese of Bukoba, Diocese of Bukoba. He holds a degree in canon law. In 1987, he was admitted to the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy to study diplomacy. Diplomatic career Rugambwa entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See on 1 July 1991, and served in the pontifical diplomatic missions in Panama, Republic of Congo, Pakistan, New Zealand and Indonesia. He was named undersecretary of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerants on 28 June 2007. On 6 February 2010 he was named Titular Archbishop of Tagaria and Apostolic Nunciature to São Tomé and Príncipe, apostolic nuncio to São Tomé and Príncipe. He was named apostolic nuncio to Angola on 20 February 2010 as well. His episcopal consecra ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Petar Rajič
Petar Antun Rajič (born 12 June 1959) is a Croatian/Canadian prelate of the Catholic Church who has worked in the diplomatic service of the Holy See since 1993. He was named Apostolic Nuncio to Apostolic Nunciature to Italy, Italy and Apostolic Nunciature to San Marino, San Marino on 11 March 2024. Biography Petar Antun Rajič was born in Toronto on 12 June 1959 to Catholic Liberan and Dominika Rajič, Croatian immigrants from Bosnia and Herzegovina to Canada. He is the eldest of three children. He is fluent in English, Croatian, French, Italian and Portuguese. Diplomatic career He entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See on 1 July 1993 and fulfilled assignments in Iran and Lithuania as well as in the office of the Secretariat of State in Rome. On 2 December 2009, Pope Benedict XVI named him titular archbishop of Diocese of Sarsenterum, Sarsenterum and Apostolic Nuncio to Apostolic Nunciature to Kuwait, Kuwait, Apostolic Nunciature to Bahrain, Bahrain, and Apostolic Nunci ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |