CARICOM and the Vatican Establish Diplomatic Relations

Another new Caribbean diplomatic partner

By Alexander Britell

CARICOM and the Vatican have officially established diplomatic ties, the two sides announced this week.

CARICOM Secretary General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque accepted the credentials of the Vatican’s first-ever Ambassador to CARICOM, Archbishop Nicola Girasoli, this week.

LaRocque said the accreditation “provided an avenue for the Vatican and CARICOM to work together on common issues of concern.”

The move comes ahead of Pope Francis’ first-ever visit to the Caribbean as Pope, although he will only be visiting a non-CARICOM Member State, Cuba.

Girasoli said it was his wish to “reiterate the Holy See’s commitment to collaborate closely with CARICOM, sharing in the hope that this will contribute further to the well-being of the Caribbean Region.”