print this pageApostolic Nunciature in Ukraine
The Apostolic Nunciature in Ukraine is the authorized diplomatic representative office of the Vatican state. It was established in 1992. Ukraine has had intermittent relations with the Holy See since the end of the 10 th century. Relations became more active in the 13 th century. In 1253, Pope Innocent IV crowned King Danylo of Halych.
The Western Ukrainian People's Republic maintained diplomatic relations with the Vatican. The Western Ukrainian People's Republic was created in November 1918 and annexed to Poland eight months later. In May 1919, its ambassador, Count Mykhailo Tyshkevych, was received by Pope Benedict XV and on 23 February, 1920 , Fr. Giovanni Genocci was appointed apostolic visitator in Ukraine. He returned to Rome in December 1921 due to the Bolshevik offensive.
On 28 March 1992, John Paul II appointed Archbishop Antonio Franco the first apostolic nuncio in independent Ukraine.
Archbishop Nikola Eterovic was appointed the second apostolic nuncio in Ukraine in 1999. On 22 March 2004, Archbishop Eterovic left Ukraine.
Archbishop Ivan Jurkovi? (pictured) is the third nuncio in Ukraine . On 22 April 2004, he was appointed apostolic nuncio in Ukraine . He was born on 10 June 1952 in Kocevje ( Slovenia ) and ordained a priest on 29 June 1977. Archbishop Jurkovi? presented his doctoral thesis on canon law and in 1984 joined the diplomatic service of the Vatican. He has been on papal diplomatic missions in Korea, Colombia, and the Russian Federation. On 28 July 2001, Archbishop Jurkovi? was appointed apostolic nuncio in Belarus. He speaks Italian, Croatian, Spanish, German, French, English and Russian.
