Pope appoints H.E. Archbishop Giorgio Lingua as Apostolic Delegate to Jerusalem and Palestine and Apostolic Nuncio to Israel

On Thursday, 22 January 2026, Pope Leo XIV appointed Archbishop Giorgio Lingua as the new Apostolic Delegate to Jerusalem and Palestine and Apostolic Nuncio to Israel, succeeding Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana, who has served the Holy See in Jerusalem since 2021.

Prior to this appointment, H.E. Archbishop Lingua served as Apostolic Nuncio to Croatia from 2019, and now Pope Leo XIV entrusts him with an important mission in the Holy Land.

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem expresses its sincere gratitude to H.E. Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana for his faithful service over the past four years, and warmly welcomes Archbishop Giorgio Lingua, entrusting his ministry among us to the Lord’s grace and blessing.

Short Biography

H.E. Msgr. Giorgio LINGUA
Apostolic Nuncio in Israel
Apostolic Delegate in Jerusalem and in Palestine

Born in Fossano (Cuneo) on 23 March 1960.
Ordained a priest on 10 November 1984 for the Diocese of Fossano.
Holds a degree in Canon Law.
Entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See on 1 July 1992, and subsequently served in the Pontifical Representations in Côte d’Ivoire and the United States of America, in the Section for Relations with States of the Secretariat of State, and in the Apostolic Nunciatures in Italy and Serbia.
Appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Iraq and Jordan on 4 September 2010, and Titular Archbishop of Tuscania.
Episcopal ordination on 9 October 2010, in St Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City.
Appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Cuba on 17 March 2015.
Appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Croatia on 22 July 2019.
Appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Israel and Apostolic Delegate to Jerusalem and in Palestine on 22 January 2026.
Languages spoken: Italian, French, English, Spanish.