U.S. Archbishop Michael Banach arrives as Vatican nuncio in Argentina, reviving papal visit hopes

Archbishop Michael Wallace Banach, a 63‑year‑old U.S. prelate and former nuncio to Hungary, landed at Buenos Aires' Ezeiza Airport on 22 July 2026. He was greeted by senior Argentine officials including President Javier Milei, Secretary of Culto Agustín Caulo, the head of the Argentine Episcopal Conference Marcelo Colombo and secretary‑general Raúl Pizarro. Banach will present his diplomatic credentials to the foreign minister and then to the president, formally beginning his mission as the Vatican’s ambassador to Argentina.

His arrival is being viewed as the first concrete step toward a possible pilgrimage by Pope Leo XIV (León XIV) to Argentina, a trip that media outlets have linked to a tentative November window and that could also include Uruguay and Peru. The Vatican has not confirmed any dates, but the Argentine Church says a technical team from Rome has already inspected sites to assess security, logistics and pastoral venues. Coordination meetings between the Holy See, the Argentine government and the Episcopal Conference are now under way to prepare for the prospective papal itinerary.