Pope Leo Urges New Papal Nuncio To Iraq To Foster Hope And Peace
Photo: Pope Leo greets Archbishop Mirosław Wachowski following his episcopal ordination
Source: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV has charged the new Papal Nuncio in Iraq Archbishop Mirosław Stanisław Wachowski to foster “peaceful coexistence” and collaborate constructively with other religions, in a land marked by suffering with the desire for rebirth.
He gave the charge Sunday, October, 26, 2025 at Saint Peter’s Basilica during the episcopal ordination of Monsignor Mirosław
The Pope urged him to safeguard the spirit of hope and “encourage peaceful coexistence,” reminding him that Vatican diplomacy “is born of the Gospel and nourished by prayer.” Iraq, he said, is a land “marked by suffering and the desire for rebirth,” yet rich in ancient Christian faith that violence could not extinguish.
Archbishop Wachowski’s episcopal motto, “Gloria Deo Pax Hominibus” was described by the Pope as “a program for life” and the way to let God’s glory shine through peace.
He highlighted humility as the first quality of a bishop, like the tax collector in the temple recounted in today’s Gospel who acknowledges his sins. The pastor’s humility, the Pope said, comes from knowing he is a servant, not a master.
Drawing on Archbishop Wachowski’s Polish rural roots, the Pope compared the bishop’s role to that of a farmer: to sow with patience, cultivate with respect, and wait with hope.
A bishop, he said, “is a guardian, not an owner; a man of prayer, not possession.” Recalling the Archbhishop’s years in the Vatican diplomatic service in Senegal, Poland, Vienna, and the Secretariat of State.
The Pope praised his discretion and faithfulness. Now, he added, this diplomatic gift must become “pastoral fatherhood” and a “witness of hope” in a wounded land.
The Pope stressed that a nuncio represents “a Church that accompanies, consoles, and builds bridges,” not one that defends interests but serves communion. In Iraq’s mosaic of traditions; Chaldean, Syriac, Armenian, Greek, and Latin rite the nuncio must work to promote unity in charity.
Recalling the apostolic roots of the Church through St. Thomas and his disciples Addai and Mari, the Pope said that even the brutal violence of recent decades “has not extinguished their faith.” Those martyrs, he added, “pray for you, for Iraq, and for the peace of the world.”
Finally, he told the new nuncio: “In Iraq, the people will recognize you not by what you say, but by how you love.” He entrusted his mission to Mary, Queen of Peace, and the Saints of Mesopotamia.
Born in Pisz, Poland in 1970,
Archbishop Wachowski was ordained in 1996, entered Vatican diplomacy in 2004, and became Under Secretary for Relations with States in 2019. He speaks five languages and now begins his mission as papal nuncio in Iraq.
