Apostolic Nuncio
His Eminence
Christophe Cardinal Pierre
Cardinal-Deacon
Cardinal Christophe Pierre was born on January 30, 1946, in Rennes, France. He completed his primary education in Antsirabé, Madagascar, and his secondary schooling in Saint-Malo, France, and Marrakech, Morocco. He attended the Major Seminary of the Archdiocese of Rennes (1963–1969) and the Catholic Institute of Paris (1969–1971).
From July 1965 to October 1966, he served in the military. He was ordained a priest on April 5, 1970, in Saint-Malo, France, and was incardinated in the Archdiocese of Rennes. He served as Parochial Vicar of the St. Peter and St. Paul Parish in Colombes, Diocese of Nanterre, France (1970–1973).
He holds a Master’s in Sacred Theology (Paris, 1971) and a Doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome (1973–1977). He completed his studies at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome (1973–1977) and entered the Diplomatic Service of the Holy See on March 5, 1977.
His first assignment was to the Pontifical Representation in New Zealand and the Islands of the Pacific Ocean (1977–1981). He later served in Mozambique (1981), Zimbabwe (1982–1986), Cuba (1986–1989), Brazil (1989–1991), and at the Permanent Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland (1991–1995).
Cardinal Christophe Pierre was born on January 30, 1946, in Rennes, France. He completed his primary education in Antsirabé, Madagascar, and his secondary schooling in Saint-Malo, France, and Marrakech, Morocco. He attended the Major Seminary of the Archdiocese of Rennes (1963–1969) and the Catholic Institute of Paris (1969–1971).
From July 1965 to October 1966, he served in the military. He was ordained a priest on April 5, 1970, in Saint-Malo, France, and was incardinated in the Archdiocese of Rennes. He served as Parochial Vicar of the St. Peter and St. Paul Parish in Colombes, Diocese of Nanterre, France (1970–1973).
He holds a Master’s in Sacred Theology (Paris, 1971) and a Doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome (1973–1977). He completed his studies at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome (1973–1977) and entered the Diplomatic Service of the Holy See on March 5, 1977.
His first assignment was to the Pontifical Representation in New Zealand and the Islands of the Pacific Ocean (1977–1981). He later served in Mozambique (1981), Zimbabwe (1982–1986), Cuba (1986–1989), Brazil (1989–1991), and at the Permanent Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland (1991–1995).
On July 12, 1995, Pope Saint John Paul II elevated himto the position of Apostolic Nuncio and Titular Archbishop of Gunela. He received Episcopal Consecration on September 24, 1995, in Saint-Malo, France.
Cardinal Pierre served as Apostolic Nuncio in Haiti from 1995 until 1999. He was then appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda (1999–2007) and subsequently to Mexico (2007–2016). On April 12, 2016, Pope Francis appointed him Apostolic Nuncio to the United States of America.
On July 9, 2023, Pope Francis announced his intention to elevate Archbishop Pierre to the College of Cardinals. At the Public Consistory on September 30, 2023, he was created Cardinal Deacon of San Benedetto fuori Porta S. Paolo.
Cardinal Pierre speaks French, English, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Apostolic Nuncio
As the Vicar of Christ on Earth, the Pope appoints an Apostolic Nuncio (Ambassador of the Holy See) to ensure that every country has a visible sign of his care for the entire flock of the Lord. The Apostolic Nuncio serves as the Pope’s personal and official representative, both to the Church in the United States and to its government.
The Episcopal Coat of Arms
The motto chosen for the Coat of Arms is Si Scires Donum Dei (“If you knew the gift of God” – John 4:10). This phrase refers to the moment when a Samaritan woman was sitting by a well and Jesus asked her for a drink of water:
“Jesus answered her, ‘If you knew the gift of God and who it is that is saying to you, “Give me a drink,” you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.’” — John 4:10
The shield contains three significant symbols:
The Ermine: Represented by “passant argent gorged or and lampassed gules,” this symbol is derived from the Coat of Arms of Saint-Malo, the Cardinal’s hometown. According to legend, the ermine would rather die than have its pure white fur stained.
The Rock: This represents the granite rocks of Brittany, known for their resilience against the constant assaults of the sea. It symbolizes strength and solidity. The Cardinal’s surname, “Pierre,” is the French word for rock or stone, and reflects his mission to represent the successor of the first Pope, who was named by Jesus as Cephas (rock or stone).
The River: The river crossing the shield represents the water the Samaritan woman saw at the well of Jacob when Jesus offered her living water. It also symbolizes the river that St. Christopher, the “Christ-bearer,” helped people cross. Once, when carrying a child on his shoulders, the child became unexpectedly heavy, revealing itself as Jesus.
The Coat of Arms was designed by Xavier Pierre, the Cardinal’s younger brother, who passed away in 1999.