Pope Leo XIV Appoints Native of Benin as Apostolic Nuncio to Burkina Faso

Dablo, 15 August, 2025 / 8:10 PM

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Mons. Eric Soviguidi, a native of Benin, as the new Apostolic Nuncio in Burkina Faso, assigning him the Titular See of Cerenza in Italy with the dignity of Archbishop.

The appointment of Mons. Soviguidi was published by the Holy See Press Office on Friday, August  15, the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The Beninese Archbishop-elect has been serving as permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

He will succeed Archbishop Giancarlo Dellagiovanna, who has been serving as Apostolic Nuncio in the West African nation since March.

Born in Benin’s Catholic Diocese of Abomey in March 1971, Mons. Soviguidi was ordained a Priest in October 1998 and incardinated in the Catholic Archdiocese of Cotonou.

The graduate in Canon Law entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See in July 2005, and served at the Apostolic Nunciatures in Haiti, Ghana, Tanzania, Guatemala, in the Section for Relations with States and International Organizations of the Secretariat of State, and most recently at UNESCO as Permanent Observer.

He is fluent in English, Italian, and Spanish.

In a statement issued August 15, members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Burkina Faso and Niger (CEBN) extend “warm congratulations to the new Apostolic Nuncio, assuring him of their fervent prayers for a happy and fruitful mission in Burkina Faso.”

They also thank the Holy Father for “his care” for the Catholic Church in Burkina Faso.

“May God bless His Church during this Jubilee celebrating 125 years of evangelization, and may He protect our country, Burkina Faso,” CEBN members implore.