Holy See - Australia Relationship
The Holy See conducts diplomatic relations through its Secretariat of State and a network of diplomatic posts (known as Nunciatures). It maintains formal diplomatic relations with 186 countries and is a party to a number of international instruments (including a series of international human rights treaties). The Holy See is a member of various United Nations subsidiary bodies, specialised agencies and international intergovernmental organisations. The Holy See’s diplomatic corps is sizable, with 92 diplomatic missions accredited to the Holy See having a permanent presence in the city of Rome.
Following the establishment of diplomatic relations with the Holy See in 1973, Australia had a non-resident Head of Mission to the Holy See, based in another European capital, supported by a Counsellor-level Chargés d’Affaires in Rome. The Holy See has maintained an Apostolic Nunciature in Canberra since 1973.
When Pope Benedict XVI visited Australia for World Youth Day in 2008, the Government announced Australia would appoint its first resident ambassador to the Holy See. The Hon Tim Fischer AC served as Australia’s first resident Ambassador to the Holy See from January 2009 until January 2012.
Mr Fischer was succeeded by John McCarthy KCSG, who held the position from August 2012 to January 2016. Ms Melissa Hitchman was appointed Ambassador in July 2016 and served until December 2019. She was Australia’s first resident female Ambassador to the Holy See. Ms Hitchman was succeeded by Ms Chiara Porro, a career diplomat, from July 2020 until November 2024, making her Australia’s longest-serving resident Ambassador to the Holy See to date.
Key milestones in our bilateral relationship include the canonisation of Australia’s first Catholic saint, Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, on 17 October 2010; the 2011 opening by Pope Benedict XVI of the Domus Australia (a pilgrimage centre run by the Sydney Archdiocese in Rome); the establishment of the Australian Catholic University‘s Rome Campus in 2016; and celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations in 2023.
Australia and the Holy See exchange regular high-level reciprocal visits. These have included:
- Holy See Foreign Minister Archbishop Paul Gallagher visited Australia in November 2023 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of bilateral relations, during which he met Foreign Minister, Senator the Hon Penny Wong. Archbishop Gallagher had previously served as Papal Nuncio (Ambassador) to Australia between 2012 and 2014.
- then Governor-General of Australia HE General The Hon Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retired) visited the Holy See and met Pope Francis in June of 2018.
- then Holy See Foreign Minister Archbishop (now Cardinal) Dominique Mamberti visited Australia in November 2014. This was the first visit by a Holy See Foreign Minister to Australia.
- then Governor-General of Australia HE Quentin Bryce visited and met Pope Benedict XVI in May of 2011.
- then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd MP visited and met Pope Benedict XVI in July 2009.