Ettore Balestrero

Ettore Balestrero ( born December 21, 1966 in Genoa) is a diplomat of the Holy See.

Life

After studying law, he entered the Almo Collegio Capranica and was consecrated by Cardinal Vicar and Archpriest of the Lateran Basilica, Camillo Cardinal Ruini on 18 September 1993 as a priest. He earned a degree in theology and a doctorate in canon law. After working in the parish of Santa Maria Mater Ecclesiae al Torrino in Rome, he became a student of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy.

He joined on 1 July 1996 in the diplomatic service of the Holy See and has worked in the Nuniaturen in Korea, Mongolia and the Netherlands. Since 2001, he serves at the State Secretariat. He was appointed as Secretary for Relations with States, and followed Pietro Parolin after, who was appointed as Apostolic Nuncio to Venezuela on the same day. His job was to supervise the work of the Office of Relations with States, and to maintain contacts with the ambassadors all over the world. Pope Benedict XVI. appointed him on 17 August 2009 to the Under-Secretary for Relations with States, and the Vatican bank IOR responsible.

On February 22, 2013, was beatified by Benedict XVI. appointed Apostolic Nuncio in Colombia and Titular Archbishop per hac vice of Victoriana.

He has an American mother and speaks fluent English as well as French, Spanish, German and Dutch.