Pope appoints Archbishop-elect Turturro as Apostolic Nuncio to Paraguay

By Vatican News

Monsignor Vincenzo Turturro, born in Bisceglie in the province of Bari, is leaving the Vatican to serve in Paraguay as the new Apostolic Nuncio.

Monsignor Turturro has been working in the Secretariat of State in the Section for Relations with States and International Organizations and as particular secretary to the Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who announced the appointment.

On Friday, Pope Francis appointed Msgr. Turturro to replace Archbishop Eliseo Antonio Ariotti, who has reached the age limit. At the same time, the Holy Father elevated the new nuncio to the titular see of Ravello, with the dignity of Archbishop.

Archbishop-elect Turturro was ordained a priest on 31 October 2003, in the diocese of Molfetta-Ruvo-Giovinazzo-Terlizzi.

On Friday morning, the bishop of this diocese, Domenico Cornacchia, convened the local ecclesial community in the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta in Molfetta to announce the appointment, in the presence of the new Nuncio's parents.

In 2006, Turturro obtained a Licentiate in Dogmatic Theology (specialisation in Theological Anthropology) from the Apulian Theological Faculty. In 2006, he began his studies in Rome, at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy.

In 2009, he obtained his Doctorate in Dogmatic Theology (specialisation in Ecclesiology) at the Pontifical Lateran University with a thesis on communion and synodality in the Church. At the same University, he obtained a Licentiate in Canon Law in 2011.

From 2009 to 2012, he served at the Apostolic Nunciature in Zimbabwe. In March 2012, he was transferred to the Apostolic Nunciature in Nicaragua. In 2014, he was granted the title of Chaplain to His Holiness and in 2023, that of Prelate of Honour to His Holiness.

In July 2015, he was transferred to the Apostolic Nunciature in Argentina. In January 2019, he was assigned to the Section for Relations with States of the Secretariat of State and International Organisations, and since 1 August 2019, he has been serving as special secretary to Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin. 

Archbishop-elect Turturro is fluent in English, Italian, and Spanish.