Spain’s Government Must Approve the Appointment of a Nuncio. Why Hasn’t It?

Amid growing controversy in Spain, the wait for a new papal nuncio has triggered a cycle of reports and denials that Spain’s government has blocked a papal appointment over tensions between the Spanish government and the country’s hierarchy.

But sources close to the Spanish nunciature have told The Pillar that while Spain has not yet approved the appointment of Archbishop Piero Pioppo as nuncio to Spain the government is dragging its feet as a protest over recent tensions with the Spanish bishops.



Almudena Cathedral, Madrid. Credit: Fernando/wikimedia. CC BY SA 4.0
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There has been discussion about who will serve as apostolic nuncio to Spain since former nuncio Archbishop Bernardito Auza left Madrid for the European Union in March.

Even as Spain secularizes, the position is carefully watched in the country, because of the official roles which the Church plays in the country, born out of constitutionally-mandated cooperation between the official secular Spanish government and the Catholic Church.

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