The Archdiocese confirmed that Archbishop Rugambwa passed away on the night of September 16, 2025, while undergoing treatment in the Italian capital, where he had been residing since his retirement from diplomatic service last year
Dar es Salaam/Rome. Tanzanian Archbishop Novatus Rugambwa, a seasoned Vatican diplomat who served as the Pope’s Ambassador (Apostolic Nuncio) across four continents, has died in Rome at the age of 67.
The Archdiocese confirmed that Archbishop Rugambwa passed away on the night of September 16, 2025, while undergoing treatment in the Italian capital, where he had been residing since his retirement from diplomatic service last year.
Born on October 8, 1957, in Kagera Region, Rugambwa was ordained a deacon in January 1986 and a priest six months later by the then Bishop of Bukoba, Nestorius Timanywa.
His rise through the Catholic Church was marked by distinguished service both at home and abroad. On February 6, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Titular Archbishop of Tagaria and Apostolic Nuncio to São Tomé and Príncipe and Angola.
A month later, on March 18, 2010, he was consecrated bishop in Rome by Cardinal Tarcisio Pietro Evasio Bertone, who at the time was the Vatican’s Secretary of State.
From there, Archbishop Rugambwa’s diplomatic career stretched across continents. In 2015, he was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Honduras, where he earned recognition for strengthening the Vatican’s ties with Latin America.
Four years later, in 2019, Pope Francis entrusted him with an even broader mandate in Oceania, naming him Apostolic Nuncio to New Zealand and Apostolic Delegate to the Pacific Ocean.
His responsibilities extended to numerous island nations, among them Fiji, Palau, the Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, Samoa, the Cook Islands, and Micronesia.
Rugambwa served in these posts until July 27, 2024, when he stepped down, bringing to a close a remarkable 14-year tenure that made him one of the Vatican’s most widely deployed African diplomats.
Throughout his postings, Archbishop Rugambwa became known for his ability to navigate complex political and cultural contexts while promoting dialogue, peace, and stronger relations between the Vatican and host nations.
Colleagues and church leaders in Tanzania described him as a “humble servant of the Church” whose global service brought honor to the country.
“Archbishop Rugambwa exemplified the spirit of Tanzanian diplomacy and faith. His mission was not only to represent the Holy See but to build bridges of peace and mutual understanding,” said a senior Tanzanian cleric who worked with him during his time in Angola.
Despite his long years abroad, Rugambwa remained closely connected to Tanzania, frequently returning home for pastoral work and to mentor young priests.
As Apostolic Nuncio, he carried the dual responsibility of serving as the Pope’s ambassador to governments and as a liaison between local churches and the Vatican.
His appointments in Africa, Latin America, and the Pacific reflected the Holy See’s confidence in his diplomatic skills and cultural sensitivity.
Archbishop Rugambwa’s passing has been met with tributes from the Catholic community in Tanzania and abroad. Funeral arrangements will be announced later by the Vatican and the Tanzania Episcopal Conference.
He is remembered not only as a Vatican envoy but also as one of Tanzania’s most prominent churchmen on the global stage—a clergyman who rose from the rural hills of Kagera to the corridors of power in Rome, leaving behind a legacy of faith, diplomacy, and service.
