The new Apostolic Nuncio in Chile, Mons. Kurian Mathew Vayalunkal, reached his pastoral destiny and was “with an open heart, eager to know this beautiful country.”
The Prelate, a native of India, arrived in the South American country on Friday morning, where it was received by the Permanent Committee of the Episcopate and the Business Manager of the Apostolic Nunciature.
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After the first meeting, the president of the Episcopal and Archbishop Conference of La Serena, Mons. René Rebolledo Salinas, express: “By greeting Mr. Apostolic Nuncio, I gave him the most cordial welcome, also on behalf of my bishops of the Episcopal Conference.”
“I expressed our joy for his appointment and total willingness to collaborate with him in the mission entrusted with the Holy Father. I also assured our prayers for a fruitful ministry in our country. Finally, I shared the joy of the Church in Chile for the choice of Pope Leo XIV, whom he represents.”
For its part, the Nuncio said: “I am very happy to get here and come to represent the Holy Father in this beautiful country with this great tradition.” He also transmitted to the bishops and all the Chilean people the greeting of Pope Leo XIV, with whom he met days ago.
In a VIDEOMANSAJE Sent to the Catholic community of Chile, Mons. Vayalunkal said “much joy and gratitude to the Lord” before this new diplomatic and pastoral mission in Chile. “I come with an open heart, eager to know this beautiful country, its people and share the richness of their faith and hope,” he said.
“The Pope takes them very close to the heart and sends me as his representative to walk with you in the spirit of fraternity, service and communion,” he added.
He also asked the faithful for their prayers and entrusted to the protection of the Virgen del Carmen, Patroness of Chile, and the intercession of Santa Teresa de los Andes and San Alberto Hurtado, “luminous witnesses of the Chilean faith.”
¿Quien es Mons. Kurien Mathew Vayalankal?
Mons. Kurian Mathew Vayalunkal was born in Vadavathor (India), on August 4, 1966. He was ordered priest on December 26, 1991. He is a doctor in Canon Law.
On June 13, 1998, he entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See and worked in the apostolic nunciatures of Guinea, Korea, Dominican Republic, Bangladesh, Hungary and Egypt.
On May 3, 2016, he was appointed Apostolic Nuncio in Papua New Guinea, and on September 21 of the same year, Apostolic Nuncio in the Solomon Islands. On January 1, 2021, Apostolic Nuncio was appointed in Algeria, and in Tunisia on February 2 of the same year.
Pope Francis appointed him Apostolic Nuncio in Chile on March 15, 2025.
He speaks French, English, Italian, Spanish and German.
Julieta Villar
I am a journalist, a graduate in Communication from the National University of La Matanza in Argentina. I have work experience in non -governmental organizations. Since 2016 I dedicate myself to Catholic journalism, first in the Argentine Catholic Information Agency (AICA) and, since 2022, as a correspondent for ACI Press for Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Bolivia.