Quick Facts
Biography
Novatus Rugambwa (born 8 October 1957) is a Tanzanian prelate of the Roman Catholic Church and diplomat of the Holy See, and, since he became a Papal Nuncio, and thus, an Archbishop (to São Tomé and Príncipe, on 6 February 2010, and later also to Angola, on 20 February 2010), the Titular Archbishop of Tagaria. Since his appointment by Pope Francis on Thursday, 5 March 2015, he began serving as Papal Nuncio to Honduras. On 3 April 2019, it was announced that Pope Francis had named Rugambwa nuncio to New Zealand and apostolic delegate to countries of the Pacific Ocean. The appointment was made on 29 March 2019.
Biography
Novatus Rugambwa was born on 8 October 1957, in Bukoba, Tanzania, and was ordained priest on 6 July 1986, for the Diocese of Bukoba. He holds a degree in Canon Law. In 1987 he was admitted to the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy to study diplomacy.
Rugambwa entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See on 1 July 1991, and served in the Pontifical diplomatic missions in Panama, Republic of Congo, Pakistan, New Zealand and Indonesia. He was named Sub-Secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerants on 28 June 2007.
On 6 February 2010 he was elected Titular Archbishop of Tagaria, and at the same time named Apostolic Nuncio to São Tomé and Príncipe. In addition to this, he was also named Apostolic Nuncio to Angola, on 20 February 2010. His episcopal consecation took place on 18 March 2010; Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone was the principal consecrator, with bishops Pier Giorgio Micchiardi and Nestorius Timanywa, as principal co-consecrators.