ROME — The Catholic Church in Tanzania is mourning the death of Archbishop Novatus Rugambwa, a veteran diplomat of the Holy See and former Apostolic Nuncio. He died in Rome on the evening of September 16, 2025, at the age of 67, while undergoing treatment at Gemelli Hospital.
Archbishop Rugambwa, a native of Bukoba Diocese, leaves behind a legacy of charity and service across the many nations where he represented the pope.
Bishop Jovitus Francis Mwijage of Bukoba Diocese expressed deep sorrow over the loss.
“Tumsifu Yesu Kristo. It is with great sadness that I announce the death of our beloved Archbishop Novatus Rugambwa, who was called to be with the Lord in the evening of September 16, 2025, in Rome,” Bishop Mwijage said in a statement on Wednesday.
“May his soul rest in eternal peace. Funeral arrangements will be communicated in due course,” he added, urging the faithful to continue praying: “Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.”
A Life of Service
Born on October 8, 1957, Archbishop Rugambwa was ordained a priest on July 6, 1986, by the late Bishop Nestorius Timanywa after completing theological studies in Bukoba.
He entered the Vatican diplomatic service in 1991, serving in nunciatures around the world. Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Undersecretary of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People in 2007.
On February 6, 2010, he was named Titular Archbishop of Tagaria and Apostolic Nuncio to Angola, São Tomé and Príncipe, receiving episcopal consecration on March 18, 2010, from Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, then Secretary of State.
He went on to serve as Apostolic Nuncio to Honduras (2015) and later to New Zealand and the Pacific Islands (2019). In 2021, Pope Francis extended his responsibilities to include Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, Fiji, and Palau.
Archbishop Rugambwa’s long years of diplomatic service were marked by pastoral dedication, cross-cultural dialogue, and unwavering commitment to the Church’s mission across continents.
Etrernal Rest grant him, O Lord, and let your perpetual light shine upon him
Credit: Sarah Pelaji, Vatican News, Tanzania
