Article by Hans Weber

On May 4, His Excellency Jude Thaddeus Okolo, Apostolic Nuncio to the Czech Republic, hosted a distinguished farewell reception in Prague on the occasion of his forthcoming departure to assume his new mission as Apostolic Nuncio to Haiti. The event, organized in cooperation with the Archbishop of Prague, Stanislav Přibyl, also marked the national day of the Holy See, celebrated annually on the anniversary of the inauguration of the reigning Pope, Pope Leo XIV.

Held in the historic premises of the Archbishop’s Palace in Prague, the reception gathered an exceptional assembly of representatives from the diplomatic, political, and ecclesiastical spheres. Nearly the entire diplomatic corps accredited to the Czech Republic attended, reflecting the special role of the Apostolic Nuncio as Dean of the Diplomatic Corps.

Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo, originally from Nigeria, is widely regarded as one of the Holy See’s most experienced diplomats. Over the course of his distinguished career, he has served in numerous countries across Africa, Europe, and the Caribbean, combining ecclesiastical responsibility with diplomatic engagement at the highest level.

His tenure in the Czech Republic was marked by stability, discretion, and strengthened institutional dialogue. In particular, he played a decisive role in the ongoing negotiations concerning a concordat between the Czech Republic and the Holy See.

Although the agreement has not yet been approved by the Czech Parliament, it remains under active discussion. Following several adjustments, it is widely expected that the concordat will eventually be adopted.

Beyond his diplomatic work, Archbishop Okolo was directly involved in important transitions within the leadership of the Catholic Church in the Czech Republic. Following the death of Cardinal Dominik Duka at the end of 2025, Jan Graubner assumed the office of Archbishop of Prague. Subsequently, in 2026, he was succeeded by Stanislav Přibyl.

The evening began with a concert that set a contemplative and dignified tone. The Czech baritone Filip Bandáž performed a carefully selected program of arias and pieces with theological and spiritual themes.

Following the musical introduction, a series of speeches underlined the importance of the occasion. The Archbishop of Prague, Stanislav Přibyl, expressed his appreciation for Archbishop Okolo’s service.

The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs was represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Marie Chatardová, who praised the excellent relations between the Czech Republic and the Holy See.

Particularly noteworthy were the contributions of representatives of the diplomatic community, including the Ambassador of Canada, Emily Ann McLaughlin, the Ambassador of Romania, Antoaneta Barta, and the Ambassador of Argentina, Claudio Javier Rozencwaig.

Following the formal program, guests were invited to a reception in the historic halls of the Archbishop’s Palace. The atmosphere was both dignified and warm.

As Archbishop Okolo prepares to take up his new responsibilities in Haiti, the farewell reception marked a significant transition.

The evening demonstrated the enduring importance of dialogue, cooperation, and shared values in international relations.