Luigi Barbarito

Luigi Barbarito (born 19 April 1922) is an Italian prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He is most noted for his career, spanning four decades between 1969 and 1997, as an Apostolic Nuncio for the Holy See.

Born in Atripalda on 19 April 1922, Barbarito studied at the seminary of the Diocese of Avellino and at the Pontifical Seminary of Benevento, being ordained a priest 20 August 1944. He studied canon law at the Pontifical Gregorian University, graduating in July 1947. In November 1953, after undertaking preparation for the diplomatic service of the Church, Barbarito begins his diplomatic career as an apostolic delegate in Oceania.

On 11 June 1969 Pope Paul VI appointed Barabito Apostolic Nuncio to Haiti. With this new role, he was elevated to the rank of Archbishop, becoming titular archbishop of Fiorentino. He received his episcopal ordination from the hands of Cardinal Amleto Giovanni Cicognani, the Cardinal Bishop of Frascati, with co-consecrators Archbishop Agostino Casaroli of the titular diocese of Cartagine and Bishop Pasquale Venezia of the Diocese of Avellino. After six years as Apostolic Nuncio to Haiti, on 5 April 1975, Pope Paul VI transferred Barbarito to the Apostolic Pro-Nunciature in Niger and Senegal, as well as appointing him the Apostolic Delegate to Mali, Mauritania and Guinea-Bissau (the later being a new post). Three years later, on 10 June 1978, Pope Paul once again transferred Barbarito, this time to the Apostolic Nunciature to Australia.

On 21 January 1986 Pope John Paul II entrusted Barbarito with the role of Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to Great Britain, becoming the Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain on 13 April 1993. The same pope accepted Barbarito resignation, due to retirement, on 31 July 1997. During his time in the United Kingdom, he became Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, an honour placed on him indicating that he was the longest-serving foreign diplomat in London. During his career, he was a member of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints and he has written many books explaining and reflecting on the location and situation of the Church in time.

In 1994 Barbarito became Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, after becoming the longest-serving foreign diplomat in London. Barbarito was appointed an Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO) by Queen Elizabeth II in 1996. In December 2013 Barbarito was awarded the title Ecclesiastical Knight Grand Cross of Grace of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George, an order which he had been first invested into in 1986.