Happy Easter!
As we celebrate the radiant joy of the Resurrection,
the Holy See Mission extends its heartfelt wishes, to you and your family, for a blessed and grace‑filled Easter.
May the Risen Lord renew our hope and strengthen our commitment to peace and fraternity.
His Holiness Pope Leo XIV
appoints Archbishop Gabriele Caccia
as Apostolic Nuncio to the
United States of America
7 March 2026
"The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the office of apostolic nuncio in the United States of America presented by His Eminence Cardinal Christophe Pierre, upon reaching the age limit.
The Holy Father has appointed Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia, titular of Sepino, until now Holy See Permanent Observer at the United Nations in New York, as apostolic nuncio in the United States of America."
Vatican City, 7 March 2026
Message of Archbishop Gabriele Caccia
on his appointment as Apostolic Nuncio to the
United States of America
Honored and deeply humbled by the decision of the Holy Father to appoint me as Apostolic Nuncio to the Country and the Church where he himself was born and raised, I receive this mission with both joy and a sense of trepidation, conscious of the great trust placed in me and of my own limitations, yet confident in His Holiness’s prayerful support and guidance.
I am likewise encouraged by the warmth and openness that I have already experienced from the local Church, as well as from the Government and the people of this country, whom I have come to know during my years of service at the United Nations in New York. I trust that their generosity and collaboration will assist me in carrying out this new mission at the service of communion and peace.
Upon all I invoke the blessings of Almighty God, especially in this year that marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of the United States of America.
New York, 7 March 2026
Read the article on Vatican News
Farewells to
Archbishop Gabriele Caccia
On 16 March 2026, H.E. Archbishop Caccia paid a farewell call on the President of the United Nations General Assembly, H.E. Ms. Annalena Baerbock, followed by a farewell call on the United Nations Secretary-General, H.E. Mr. António Guterres, on 23 March 2026.
On 24 March 2026, the Permanent Observer Mission held a reception in the parish hall of the Holy Family Church to bid farewell to Archbishop Gabriele Caccia at the conclusion of his tenure as Permanent Observer of the Holy See.
Holy See Statements at the
United Nations
Statement of the Holy See at the
70th Commission on the Status of Women of the Economic and Social Council
by Archbishop Gabriele Caccia
17 March 2026
On 17 March 2026 in New York, H.E. Archbishop Gabriele Caccia delivered a statement at the 70th Commission on the Status of Women.
He emphasized the urgent need to strengthen access to justice for all women and girls, noting that this requires more than legal frameworks. It involves addressing root causes such as poverty, lack of education, discrimination, and violence. Many, especially those who are poor or vulnerable, face barriers to legal representation and awareness of their rights.
He also highlighted risks of exploitation, including trafficking and forced marriage, calling for stronger accountability and prevention.
He concluded by stressing the need for a holistic approach and reaffirming the Holy See’s commitment to supporting these efforts.
Statement at the side event of the Holy See
during the 70th Commission on the
Status of Women
"Protecting Women and Children: Combating Violence and Exploitation in Surrogacy"
by Archbishop Gabriele Caccia
12 March 2026
New York, 12 March 2026, H.E. Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, delivered a statement at the side event “Protecting Women and Children: Combating Violence and Exploitation in Surrogacy,” organized by the Holy See and Italy in collaboration with Türkiye, Paraguay and the Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, on the occasion of the 70th Commission on the Status of Women.
His Excellency emphasized that surrogacy has rapidly expanded beyond the capacity of existing legal and ethical frameworks, raising serious concerns regarding the dignity and rights of women and children. Archbishop Caccia underscored that this practice often exploits women facing economic hardship and risks reducing children to objects of contractual exchange.
The Holy See further highlighted the broader social and moral implications of surrogacy, including the fragmentation of family bonds, the commodification of human life, and the potential for discriminatory practices, particularly in cases involving prenatal disability diagnoses. The Holy See hopes that further steps will be taken toward ending this practice in all its forms and at all levels in order to protect women and children from exploitation and violence.
Opening Remarks at the side event
of the Holy See during the 70th Commission on the Status of Women
“Beyond band-aids: Innovation to improve women’s healthcare”
by Archbishop Gabriele Caccia
18 March 2026
On 18 March 2026, in New York, The Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations, hosted at the Headquarters of the United Nations a side event during the 70th Commission on the Status of Women titled “Beyond Band‑Aids: Innovation to Improve Women’s Healthcare.”
In his opening remarks, H.E. Archbishop Gabriele Caccia highlighted the need for women’s healthcare that goes beyond symptom management and genuinely addresses underlying medical conditions. He noted that women and girls around the world continue to face barriers to quality care due to discrimination, lack of resources, and longstanding gaps in medical research.
Archbishop Caccia emphasized that women deserve healthcare that respects their full dignity, including their fertility, and called for approaches that diagnose and treat root causes rather than relying on hormonal contraceptives as default solutions.
Statement of the Holy See at the High-Level Event in Commemoration of the International Day to Combat Islamophobia
by Archbishop Gabriele Caccia
16 March 2026
On 16 March 2026 in New York, H.E. Archbishop Gabriele Caccia addressed a High-Level Event marking the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, organized by United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and the Permanent Observer Mission of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
He noted that rising intolerance toward Muslims, Christians, and other believers reflects a failure to uphold freedom of religion or belief, a cornerstone of a just society. He stressed the urgency of defending this right and highlighted the growing impact of online discrimination, calling for stronger educational responses.
Recalling Pope Leo XIV’s words that dialogue is “a way of life,” he urged authentic interreligious engagement, ensuring that religion is never exploited or instrumentalized.
Statement of the Holy See at the Commemorative Meeting to Mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
by Archbishop Gabriele Caccia
23 March 2026
On 23 March 2026 in New York, H.E. Archbishop Gabriele Caccia addressed the Commemorative Meeting for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
He reaffirmed the Holy See’s firm condemnation of racism, describing it as an offence against human dignity and a grave injustice. He noted that racism increasingly operates through subtle mechanisms, including in the digital sphere, and called for stronger education, especially in digital literacy.
He emphasized that efforts to combat racism must be rooted in a genuine recognition of the equal dignity of every person. Recalling Pope Leo XIV, he noted that all are created in the image of God, and called for this conviction to inform policies and practices that address the roots of discrimination and strengthen social cohesion.
Statement of the Holy See at the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
by Archbishop Gabriele Caccia
25 March 2026
On 25 March 2026, in New York, the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, H.E. Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, delivered a statement at the Commemorative Meeting to mark the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
The Permanent Observer reaffirmed the Holy See’s unequivocal condemnation of slavery, including in its modern forms, and stressed that today’s call for remembrance reminds all States of their duty to uphold historical truth and ensure legal accountability. He added that education and awareness-raising play a fundamental role in preventing the recurrence of such grave scourges of humanity.
Quoting Pope Leo XIV, he emphasized that the freedom given by Christ “is not only interior: it manifests itself in history as love that cares for and frees us from every bond of slavery.”
Life at the Mission
Bidding farewell to Archbishop Caccia
Over a convivial lunch, the Mission expressed its heartfelt gratitude to Archbishop Caccia, celebrating his years of service in New York, and assuring him of prayers and warm wishes as he prepares for a new chapter in the service of the Church.
Celebrating March Birthdays, wishing many happy returns to Benedetta, Sister Silvia and Alberto
Save the Date
Path to Peace Gala on 18 May 2026
Fall 2026 Internship
Applications are Open
Since 2015, the Holy See Mission has welcomed 238 interns from 40 countries. The internship program provides the opportunity for bright, Catholic, English-speaking college graduates or graduate students to gain experience assisting the Holy See in its multilateral work at the UN, seeking to bring the light of Catholic Social Teaching to the debates of the international community.
Our interns are integral to the work of the Holy See at the United Nations. They attend various UN meetings, conferences, and debates, and then prepare reports that, once reviewed, are sent to the Holy See’s central offices in the Vatican. Our interns also assist with the Mission’s conferences, receptions, and cultural events.
There are three internship cycles each year: Fall, Spring, and Summer, and nine internship positions are available per cycle. The Mission is currently accepting applications for the Fall 2026 session, which will run from September through December 2026.