His Excellency Archbishop Gábor Pintér, presented his Letters of Credence to the Head of State of Samoa, Afioga Tuimaleali’ifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, during the credential ceremony held at the official residence of the Head of State at Vailele this morning, accrediting His Excellency as the Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See to Samoa.
Samoa and the Holy See have enjoyed cordial relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties on 10 June 1994. In his remarks, His Excellency stated that the relationship between Samoa and the Holy See is rooted not only in shared faith but also in a mutual commitment to the dignity of the human person, the promotion of peace, and the care for the creation. His Excellency also reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s dedication to the formation of youth, caring for the poor and marginalized, nurturing of spiritual life, and various areas where it may serve the people of Samoa.
Head of State, Afioga Tuimaleali’ifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II in his responding remarks reaffirmed the strong relations between Samoa and the Holy See, highlighting the great contribution of the Catholic missionaries who arrived in 1845 and played an instrumental role nurturing the spiritual life of our people and contributed in shaping the moral, social and educational foundations of Samoa. The Head of State also acknowledged the historic visit of His Holiness Pope Paul VI to Samoa in 1970 that remained a significant milestone, and the visits of Samoa’s former Head of State and former Prime Ministers to the Vatican, reflecting the strength and the growing relations between Samoa and the Holy See.
His Excellency Archbishop Gábor Pintér is currently the Apostolic Nuncio to New Zealand with cross-accreditation to other Pacific islands including Samoa. Prior to his appointment in Wellington, Archbishop Pintér was the Apostolic Nuncio to Honduras. He was born in Kunszentmarton, Hungary, in 1964, and ordained as a Catholic priest in June 1988. He holds a PhD in Theology and a PhD in Canon Law, and speaks Hungarian, Italian, English, German, French, Spanish, Russian, Swedish, and Haitian Creole.
His Excellency arrived in Apia on Saturday, 14 February 2026 and celebrated Mass on Sunday at Mulivai Cathedral. He also visited several parishes across Upolu, where he met and engaged with various church offices and community leaders. These visits formed part of his pastoral and official engagements in Samoa. H.E Archbishop Pintér departed for Wellington this afternoon upon completion of his call on the Prime Minister, Laualialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt.
This is a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), Government of Samoa, on 17 February 2026.
