Ettore Balestrero Italian priest, Vatican diplomat and curial dignitary. Date of Birth: 21.12.1966 Country: Italy

1. Early Life and Education
2. Diplomatic Career
3. Appointment as Deputy Secretary for Relations with States
4. Titular Archbishop of Victoriana and Apostolic Nuncio to Colombia
5. Personal Qualities

Early Life and Education

Ettore Balestrero, an Italian priest, was born in Genoa. After completing law school, he attended the Almo Collegio Capranica and was ordained as a priest for the Diocese of Rome in 1993 by Cardinal Camillo Ruini. He earned degrees in theology and canon law. After serving at the parish of Santa Maria Mater Ecclesiae al Torrino in Rome, he became a student at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy.

Diplomatic Career

In 1996, Balestrero joined the diplomatic service of the Holy See and served in South Korea, Mongolia, and the Netherlands. From 2001, he worked in the Secretariat of State of the Holy See.

Appointment as Deputy Secretary for Relations with States

On August 17, 2009, Balestrero was appointed Deputy Secretary for Relations with States, succeeding Pietro Parolin, who was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Venezuela on the same day. As Deputy Secretary, Balestrero supervised the work of the Holy See's Secretariat of State's Office for Relations with States and maintained contacts with ambassadors worldwide.

Titular Archbishop of Victoriana and Apostolic Nuncio to Colombia

On February 22, 2013, Balestrero was appointed Titular Archbishop of Victoriana and Apostolic Nuncio to Colombia. In this role, he represented the Holy See and the Vatican City in Colombia.

Personal Qualities

Balestrero's mother is American, and he is fluent in English as well as French, Spanish, German, and Dutch.