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Welcome to the website of the Australian Embassy to the Holy See
It is a privilege to serve as Australian Ambassador to the Holy See, advancing our country’s interests at the Vatican and strengthening the ties forged since the establishment of our diplomatic relations over 50 years ago. Today, Australia works closely with the Holy See on shared objectives such as peace building, promotion of human rights, and tackling the climate crisis.
By partnering with faith-based organisations in the Holy See, the Embassy supports humanitarian work that is close to Australian hearts: helping refugees to safety, combatting human traffic, and ending social exclusion.
The Embassy promotes cultural initiatives at the Vatican, projecting the image of a vibrant, diverse and modern Australian identity that is proud of its First Nations heritage. Our collaboration with the Holy See also extends to sport, an expression of Australian values of friendship and equality.
As the only resident Ambassador from the Pacific, I work to give our region a strong voice at the Vatican. Australia stands shoulder-to-shoulder with our Pacific family to face common challenges such as climate change, the greatest single threat to our livelihoods and security.
This website and my X account @ausambholysee are the best tools to learn about our Embassy’s activities and keep up-to-date on my work as Australia’s Ambassador to the Holy See.
H.E. Chiara Porro
Australian Ambassador to the Holy See
News
6 March 2024 – Marking International Women's Day with a one-day discussion event on women's leadership
This year, the Australian Embassy to the Holy See partnered with the British Embassy to the Holy See and Caritas Internationalis to host a one-day conference entitled “Women leaders: Towards a brighter future” to discuss the role of women in social, economic, religious and political life. The event – which took place on 6 March 2024 at the Jesuit Curia in Rome - brought together powerful voices from around the world, sharing success stories of women's empowerment but also highlighting the ongoing barriers that women and girls continue to face when it comes to participation and decision-making. Speakers included Sr Pat Murray, Executive Secretary of the International Union of Superiors General, Sr Nathalie Becquart, Under-Secretary, General Secretariat of the Synod, Fr Arturo Sosa SJ, Superior General of the Society of Jesus, Theologian Professor Maeve Heaney from the Australian Catholic University and Sr Ruperta Palacios Silva, a Mexico-based community coordinator working on the ground with vulnerable women and girls, among several others (see program). Some 100 guests attended the event in person and many more joined online. Watch a recording of the proceedings using the links below:
Part 2 - Women's Empowerment in the Catholic Church
Part 3 - Women leaders: Education, economic empowerment and developing skills
Part 4 - Women's empowerment: how can faith and government actors increase collaboration?
19 December 2023 – Concluding event for the 50th Anniversary – Launch of publication “Marking Milestones: Forging a Better Future” and Christmas Concert by Knox Grammar Symphony Orchestra
On 19 December 2023, we held the final event of our busy year: the launch in Rome of our 50th anniversary publication “Marking Milestones: Forging a Better Future”. The book was a key initiative of our anniversary, with the aim of collating 50 years of memories from the history of Australia - Holy See ties, reflecting on how our ties have evolved and the impact of important milestones/events. His Excellency Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, launched the book at the event, speaking about his recent visit to Australia and the value of our ties. The book - which featured contributions from Monsignor Gallagher, Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong, former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, and the Director of the Vatican Museums, Dr Barbara Jatta, among other key figures – was produced with the support of the University of Notre Dame Australia and was published by the Vatican publishing house, the Libreria Editrice Vaticana. To help us launch the book, we were joined by the Knox Grammar Symphony Orchestra, the premiere musical ensemble of Knox Grammar School, an independent Uniting Church-based school from Sydney, Australia. The talented orchestra delighted attendees with a selection of timeless classics and Christmas carols.
21 September 2023 – Panel Discussion - “Tackling abuse and building a culture of safety: the work of independent authorities in Australia”
As part of our program of 50th anniversary initiatives – which focused, among other priorities, on the theme of ‘ending harm, injustice and exclusion’, we organised a panel discussion on 21 September 2023, with two highly respected Australian experts on safeguarding. Julie Inman Grant, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner (which is in fact the world’s first government agency dedicated to online safety) was one of them. We were also joined by Chris Field PSM, Australia’s longest serving Ombudsman and the President of the International Ombudsman Institute – the first Australian ever to hold that position. Ms Inman Grant and Mr Field led a conversation with the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors and other Holy See contacts, to draw lessons from the value of independent oversight to achieve the highest standards for the protection of children and vulnerable people.
27 May - 3 June 2023 - Dr Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr Baumann AM
Reconciliation Week and 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations betwen Australia and the Holy See - a journey from the Outback to Rome.
Useful information about visiting the Holy See
Visiting the Vatican - general information on booking various Vatican tours and tickets for events presided by the Pope
💬 Follow us on Twitter - @AusAmbHolySee 💬
Recent events
Please see our Events pages to view the Embassy's activities over the years
22 April 2023 - Earth Day Walk with Australian, US, UK and Irish Embassies & Athletica Vaticana
On 22 April 2023, the Australian Embassy to the Holy See joined the US, UK and Irish Embassies, and Athletica Vaticana on a walk to mark Earth Day and demonstrate our commitment to protecting our common home
