The Pope’s ambassador to Australia has accepted an honorary doctorate from Australian Catholic University days before his four decades of diplomatic service come to an end. Source: Melbourne Catholic.
Archbishop Charles Balvo, the Apostolic Nuncio to Australia since 2022, received a Doctor of the University (Honoris Causa) on Wednesday at ACU’s Brisbane campus.
The honorary degree recognises Archbishop Balvo’s contributions to ecclesial governance, diplomacy and international relations, and his commitment to Australian Catholic University’s mission.
Archbishop Balvo leaves Australia next month following Pope Leo XIV’s acceptance of his resignation upon turning 75.
Archbishop Balvo said receiving an honorary doctorate from ACU in his final days as Papal Nuncio to Australia was unexpected.
“I feel very honoured to receive the degree, just before I leave Australia to take up a new chapter in my life,” Archbishop Balvo said.
“I value very much the educational contribution of Australian Catholic University in its role of promoting the mission of the Church, in the search for the truth on the journey of life.”
Archbishop Balvo said he would miss the Australian people, their good will and the nation’s vast landscape.
“I have been able to visit many places in this vast country. You would need more than one lifetime to see it all,” he said.
“People have been friendly and welcoming and have a sense of the common good. They pitch in and help when times are difficult and challenging.
“I will certainly miss them, as well as the natural beauty that I have been able to see – from the sand and sea at Bateman’s Bay to the snowfields and mountain vistas of Perisher Valley.”
The vocation of an apostolic nuncio – a representative of the Holy Father – is a missionary vocation.
Before being sent to Australia, Archbishop Balvo was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to New Zealand and several Pacific Island nations in 2005. His was one of the last diplomatic appointments made by St John Paul II, the day before he died.
He has spent a total of 40 years in the Holy See’s diplomatic mission – including 21 years as a papal nuncio – and served in Africa, Latin America, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
Archbishop Balvo will return to his native New York next month and take up residence in a parish in Manhattan.
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ACU celebrates Apostolic Nuncio’s service to Australia with honorary doctorate (Melbourne Catholic)
