Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has appointed Archbishop Mirosław Stanisław Wachowski, a seasoned Polish diplomat of the Holy See, as the new Apostolic Nuncio to Iraq. Alongside this appointment, he has been elevated to the rank of Titular Archbishop of Villamagna in Proconsolare, marking a significant new chapter in his service to the global Church.
The announcement was formally made by Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States, during a gathering of the Secretariat of State on Thursday. It reflects the Pope’s confidence in Archbishop Wachowski’s long-standing diplomatic expertise and pastoral dedication, particularly in regions facing geopolitical challenges and interreligious tensions.
Born on May 8, 1970, in Pisz, Poland, Wachowski was ordained to the priesthood on June 15, 1996, and incardinated in the Diocese of Ełk. After completing his doctorate in Canon Law, he entered the Vatican’s Diplomatic Service on July 1, 2004. Over the past two decades, he has served in a variety of international posts, including assignments in Senegal, Poland, and the Apostolic Nunciature in Vienna. His work also extended to key multilateral institutions such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and the United Nations Office in Vienna.
In 2019, Pope Francis appointed him Undersecretary for Relations with States, a role he continued under Pope Leo XIV. In this capacity, Wachowski contributed significantly to shaping the Holy See’s foreign policy, fostering dialogue with governments, and addressing pressing global concerns such as peace, security, and religious freedom.
Fluent in Italian, English, French, Spanish, and Russian, Archbishop Wachowski brings with him not only a breadth of diplomatic experience but also an ability to engage in dialogue across cultural and linguistic divides. His appointment to Iraq a country where Christians remain a vulnerable minority underscores the Vatican’s commitment to supporting the local Church and strengthening efforts toward peace and coexistence in the region.
As Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Wachowski will serve as the Pope’s personal representative to the Church in Iraq as well as to the government and diplomatic corps. His mission will involve accompanying the local Christian communities, promoting interfaith dialogue, and reinforcing the Vatican’s role as a bridge-builder in a land still recovering from years of war, sectarian violence, and displacement.
The Church in Iraq, which has faced persecution, migration, and the challenge of rebuilding communities, is expected to find in Archbishop Wachowski a shepherd-diplomat who understands both the pastoral needs of the faithful and the complexities of international relations.
His appointment reflects the Holy See’s continued prioritization of the Middle East as a region of both profound suffering and deep hope. With this step, Pope Leo XIV signals renewed support for Iraq’s Christians and a commitment to the country’s broader journey toward peace and reconciliation.