Archbishop Dolan mourns late apostolic nuncio

July 29, 2011

The president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has mourned the death and paid tribute to the accomplishments of Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the late apostolic nuncio to the United States.

“News of the July 27 death of Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States of America, brings deep sadness for the church in the United States,” said Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York. As the personal representative of our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, Archbishop Sambi enjoyed the highest respect and deepest affection of the bishops of the United States and of our Catholic people.”

“Archbishop Sambi possessed both a keen sense of diplomacy cultivated through many years of service in the Vatican diplomatic corps, especially in Israel, and a pastoral sensitivity cultivated through his many years as a faithful and devoted priest,” he added. “Those who met or listened to Archbishop Sambi understood that at the heart of all he did was this love of the priesthood and of Christ the Good Shepherd.”

“We thank our Holy Father for sending him to us as we now commend the soul of this good and faithful servant to the Lord whom he served with such steadfast devotion. May Archbishop Pietro Sambi, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.”

 

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Further information:

• Archbishop Sambi Remembered as Friend of the United States (USCCB)
• Statement of Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, on the occasion of the death of Archbishop Sambi (USCCB)
• Apostolic nuncio to US dead at 73 (CWN, 7/28)