Eric Soviguidi

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Eric Soviguidi
Apostolic Nuncio to Burkina Faso and Niger
Titular Archbishop of Pumentum
Appointed15 August 2025
Predecessor Giancarlo Dellagiovanna
Other post Titular Archbishop of Pumentum
Previous post
Orders
Ordination10 October 1998
Consecration15 November 2025
by  Pietro Parolin, Fortunatus Nwachukwu and Roger Houngbédji
Personal details
Born (1971-03-21) 21 March 1971 (age 54)
Nationality Beninese
Styles of
Eric Soviguidi
Template-Archbishop.svg
Reference style
Spoken style Your Excellency
Religious style Archbishop

Eric Soviguidi (born 21 March 1971) is a Beninese prelate of the Catholic Church who works in the diplomatic service of the Holy See.

Contents

Biography

Eric Soviguidi was born on 21 March 1971 in Abomey, Benin. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Cotonou on 10 October 1998. He holds a Doctorate in Canon Law. He is reported to be fluent in several languages, including French, English, Spanish and Italian. [1]

Diplomatic career

He entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See on 1 July 2005, and has served at the apostolic nunciatures in Haiti, Ghana, Tanzania, Guatemala, and at the Section for Relations with States of the Secretariat of State. On 30 November 2021, Pope Francis appointed him Permanent Observer of the Holy See to UNESCO. [1]

On 15 August 2025, Pope Leo XIV appointed him as Titular Archbishop of Pumentum and Apostolic Nuncio to Burkina Faso. [2] [3]

On 12 September 2025, he was given the additional responsibilities for Niger. [4] He was consecrated bishop at Cotonou, Benin on 15 November 2025 by Cardinal Pietro Cardinal Parolin, Cardinal-Bishop of Santi Simone e Giuda Taddeo a Torre Angela assisted by Fortunatus Nwachukwu, Titular Archbishop of Aquaviva and Roger Houngbédji, Archbishop of Cotonou. [5]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Vatican Press Office (30 November 2021). "Appointment of Holy See Permanent Observer at UNESCO". Vatican Press Office . Vatican City. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
  2. Vatican Press Office (15 August 2025). "Appointment of the Apostolic Nuncio to Burkina Faso" (Translated from the original Italian language). Vatican Press Office . Vatican City. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
  3. Jude Atemanke (15 August 2025). "Pope Leo XIV Appoints Native of Benin as Apostolic Nuncio to Burkina Faso". ACI Africa. Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
  4. Jude Atemanke (12 September 2025). "Recently Appointed Apostolic Nuncio in Burkina Faso to Extend Diplomatic Role in Niger". ACI Africa. Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
  5. ZENIT (10 November 2025). "Cotonou prepares for the ordination of Bishop Éric Soviguidi" (Translated from the original French language). ZENIT.org. Rome, Italy. Retrieved 16 November 2025.