Archbishops Petar Rajič and Paolo Rudelli express profound gratitude to Pope Leo XIV after being appointed to lead key Vatican offices.
Newsroom (31/03/2026 Gaudium Press ) Two senior prelates expressed heartfelt thanks to Pope Leo XIV following their recent Vatican appointments, pledging dedication and humility in carrying out their new missions in the service of the universal Church.
Archbishop Petar Rajič, until now Apostolic Nuncio to Italy and the Republic of San Marino, was named Prefect of the Prefecture of the Papal Household on March 30. Speaking after the announcement, the Canadian-born prelate of Croatian heritage voiced his “profound gratitude” for the confidence placed in him by the Holy Father and his desire to offer “faithful service to the Pope and to the universal Church.”
The Prefecture of the Papal Household oversees the organization of papal audiences, visits, and internal coordination within the Apostolic Palace—ensuring that the Pope’s daily schedule runs smoothly and that guests and pilgrims alike experience the pastoral warmth of the Holy See. The role has been vacant since 2023, following the conclusion of Archbishop Georg Gänswein’s mandate.
Archbishop Rajič brings extensive diplomatic experience to this post, having represented the Holy See as Nuncio in the Baltic nations from 2019 to 2024 before moving to Rome. His reputation for quiet diligence and pastoral sensitivity has made him a respected figure in Vatican diplomacy.
Archbishop Rudelli: A Call to Collaborate Closely with the Pope
On the same day, Pope Leo XIV appointed Archbishop Paolo Rudelli as Substitute for General Affairs in the Secretariat of State—one of the Curia’s most sensitive and central offices. The appointment follows Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra’s reassignment as Apostolic Nuncio to Italy and San Marino, succeeding Archbishop Rajič.
Archbishop Rudelli described his nomination as “a gesture of unmerited trust, which deeply honors me,” affirming his intention to carry out the Pope’s mission “animated by faith in the Ministry of the Successor of the Apostle Peter.” He added that he entrusts his new service “to the intercession of Saint John XXIII,” who, like Rudelli, came from Italy’s Bergamo region.
Formerly Apostolic Nuncio to Colombia, Archbishop Rudelli said he draws inspiration from Praedicate Evangelium, the Apostolic Constitution guiding the reorganization of the Roman Curia. He pledged to serve “in the spirit” of that document, relying on the collaboration of the Cardinal Secretary of State and his colleagues in the Secretariat.
A Shared Spirit of Service and Gratitude
The public reflections of both archbishops reveal a shared attitude of gratitude and readiness to serve under Pope Leo XIV’s leadership. Their words underline a renewed spirit of unity and faith that continues to guide the Curia’s evolving mission—bridging papal tradition with the pastoral realities of a global Church.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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