A man "of communion and silence, of listening and dialogue" -- the "face of a Church that accompanies, consoles and builds bridges": This is the portrait of the apostolic nuncio (equivalent to Vatican ambassador) that the Pope painted when he ordained Bishop Mirosław Stanisław Wachowski on the evening of October 26, 2025, in St. Peter's Basilica. The Polish diplomat is soon to join the nunciature in Baghdad, Iraq. This was the first episcopal ordination presided over by the Pope since his election to the Throne of Peter.
In his homily, Leo XIV paid tribute to the new nuncio, appointed on September 18, for his "discretion," "competence," "respect," and "dedication," demonstrated since he entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See in 2004.
The Pontiff described the "distinctive trait" of the 55-year-old prelate as "the fidelity of one who does not seek himself, but serves with professionalism."
Referring to the prelate's Polish origins, the Pope also emphasized that, through contact with his "land of lakes and forests," the diplomat had learned contemplation and sobriety. During his 20-year career, Monsignor Wachowski has served in papal representations in Senegal, Poland, with international organizations in Vienna and in the Secretariat of State, where he was previously undersecretary for relations with states. In this capacity, he was deputy for the Secretary, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, when the latter was absent, during bilateral meetings with heads of state and government visiting the Vatican.
The "first lesson" for every bishop
In his meditation, the Pope outlined some of the characteristics of the episcopal ministry. The "first lesson" for every bishop, he said, is "the humility of one who knows that he is a servant, not a master" or "owner."
The bishop is also called to live "patience" and "hope," he added, warning against "the temptation to grow weary, to close oneself off, to measure results."
"The apostolic nuncio is not just any diplomat," warned the Pope. He defined the role of the Vatican ambassador as "promoting dialogue with civil authorities, safeguarding the freedom of the Church and fostering the good of the people."
"His mission is not to defend partisan interests but to serve communion," insisted Leo XIV, expressing his hope that the nuncio would be "the face of a Church that accompanies, consoles and builds bridges."
The voice of the victims of violence continues to pray
In his new role, the head of the Catholic Church asked Archbishop Wachowski to be "a father, pastor and witness of hope in a land marked by pain and the desire for rebirth."
He referred to "the violence that has been manifested with ferocity in recent decades" in Iraq. But "the voices of those who have been brutally deprived of life in these lands have not been silenced. Today they pray for you, for Iraq, for world peace," he said.
The pontiff also entrusted the nuncio with the mission of preserving the "mosaic of rites and cultures" of the country, where the Syriac Catholic, Armenian Catholic, Greek Catholic, Latin, and Chaldean Churches coexist. Within the latter, the liturgy is still celebrated in Aramaic, the language spoken by Jesus.
Following Pope Francis' trip in 2021 – the first pope to set foot in the land of Abraham – Leo XIV called on Bishop Wachowski to "encourage peaceful coexistence" in the region.
"Always be a man of communion and silence, of listening and dialogue," he recommended. "In Iraq, the people will recognize you not for what you say, but for the way you love."
In Baghdad, the new nuncio will find a population that is overwhelmingly Muslim (97%). Christians account for less than 1%.
Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako, Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans – whom the Pope mentioned in his homily – was the subject of political and clan tensions in 2023, when the Iraqi government revoked a decree recognising him as head of the Chaldean Church – a decision that was lifted in 2024.
