Apostolic nuncio to US dead at 73
July 28, 2011
Archbishop Pietro Sambi, whom Pope Benedict XVI appointed Apostolic Nuncio to the United States in 2005, has died following complications from lung surgery. He was 73.
Ordained a priest in 1964 and a bishop in 1985, Archbishop Sambi served as Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to Burundi (1985-91), Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to Indonesia (1991-98), and Apostolic Nuncio to Israel and Cyprus, as well as Apostolic Delegate to Jerusalem and Palestine (1998-2005).
Archbishop Sambi’s tenure saw the appointment of Cardinal Donald Wuerl as Archbishop of Washington (2006) and the appointments of five other prelates to archdioceses that traditionally have cardinals: Archbishop Edwin O’Brien of Baltimore (2007), Archbishop Allen Vigneron of Detroit (2009), Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York (2009), Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles (appointed coadjutor in 2010), and Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia (2011).
Archbishop Sambi’s funeral will take place on August 6 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington.
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Further information:
- US Nuncio, Archbishop Pietro Sambi dies (Vatican Radio)
- Apostolic nuncio to US on ventilator (CWN, 7/26)
- New papal nuncio in US is seasoned Vatican diplomat (CWN, 12/19/05)
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