Community & Business
5 June, 2022
Pope’s delegate visits schools
POPE Francis’s delegate Archbishop Charles Balvo has visited local Catholic schools as one of his first official duties in the position of the Nuncio.
Appointed to the role of Nuncio last year, Archbishop Balvo is the representative of the Vatican and the Pope in Australia.
Being hosted by St Stephen Catholic College and St Thomas’ of Villanova Primary School, Archbishop Balvo was interested in meeting the students and sharing his experiences as the Nuncio of Australia.
He said he was impressed by the curiosity and awe of students, in particularly one Grade 5 child. “When visiting a Year 5 classroom, a student asked if I had met the Pope,” Archbishop Balvo said. “I said ‘yes’ and smiled.”
St Stephens principal Kerry Manders was proud of the Archbishop’s interest in the school even though it resides in such a small area. She said she encouraged him to come back to the school at any time and was thankful for such an opportunity to meet him.
“He was most interested in meeting students and staff and also enjoyed visiting the exceptional school facilities,” she said.
“It was great recognition of our school community and an acknowledgement of the important role we play in Catholic education in the Diocese.
“Archbishop Balvo's visit, and his interest in our school, reflects the value and importance that is placed on Catholic education in regional areas.
“Although we are situated in a smaller community, we have state-of-the-art facilities, incredibly passionate teachers, and our students achieve great outcomes.”
