“Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.”
— Romans 14:19The Apostolic Nunciature
Diplomatic Representation of the Holy See in Kuwait and the Arabian Peninsula
About the Nunciature
The Apostolic Nunciature in Kuwait serves as the official diplomatic mission of the Holy See to the State of Kuwait and covers the Arabian Peninsula.
Kuwait was notably the first member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to develop diplomatic ties with the Holy See (Vatican City State). Official diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the State of Kuwait were formalized on 21 October 1968.
In the year 2000, a new Apostolic Nunciature was permanently established in Kuwait to cover all the countries of the Arabian Peninsula — a significant milestone in the diplomatic history of the Holy See in the region.
The Nunciature also serves as the Apostolic Delegation to the Arabian Peninsula, covering territories where formal diplomatic relations with the Holy See have not yet been established.
The Nunciature's official website provides current information on the mission, staff, and activities of the Holy See's diplomatic representation in Kuwait.
🔗 www.nunciaturekuwait.comHistory in Brief
For the first two decades after official diplomatic relations were established in 1968, the Apostolic Nuncios in the neighbouring countries of Lebanon and Iraq were alternatively accredited to the State of Kuwait. Seven distinguished Archbishops served in this capacity:
On 13 December 1999, Reverend Monsignor Giuseppe De Andrea was appointed by His Holiness Pope John Paul II as "Chargé d'Affaires with Letters" of the Apostolic Nunciature in Kuwait, Yemen and Bahrain, and of the Apostolic Delegation of the Arabian Peninsula. On 18 January 2000, Msgr. De Andrea arrived in Kuwait to assume his duties.
On 28 June 2001, His Holiness Pope John Paul II appointed Msgr. De Andrea as Apostolic Nuncio to Kuwait, Yemen and Bahrain as well as Apostolic Delegate to the Arabian Peninsula, raising him to the episcopacy. Archbishop Giuseppe De Andrea thus became the first resident Apostolic Nuncio to Kuwait. He retired on 27 August 2005.
Diplomatic Relations — Arabian Peninsula
Countries of the Arabian Peninsula and their formal diplomatic relations with the Holy See.