On October 5, 2026, the Holy See announced the appointment of Msgr. Grzegorz Piotr Bielaszka as apostolic nuncio to the United Arab Emirates. The appointment was announced simultaneously at the Apostolic Nunciature in Abu Dhabi, in the presence, among others, of Bishop Paolo Martinelli, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia, and Bishop Emeriturs Paul Hinder.

Msgr. Bielaszka, who will receive episcopal ordination following his appointment, succeeds Archbishop Christophe-Zakhia El-Kassis, who recently took up his new role as the Holy See’s Permanent Observer to the United Nations in New York.

Welcoming the appointment, Bishop Paolo Martinelli said: “We welcome with gratitude the appointment of Msgr. Grzegorz Piotr Bielaszka as the new Apostolic Nuncio to the United Arab Emirates. We assure him of our prayers as he prepares for episcopal ordination and begins this new mission entrusted to him by the Holy Father. We look forward to working with him in a spirit of communion and service to the Church in the region.”

Archbishop-elect Grzegorz Piotr Bielaszka was born on 4 August 1974 in Szczucin, Poland. He was ordained a priest on 22 May 1999 and incardinated into the diocese of Tarnów. He graduated in canon law. He entered the Holy See diplomatic service on 1 July 2006, and has served in the apostolic nunciatures in Panama, Iraq, Hungary, Peru and Gabon.

The Catholic community in the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia welcomes him with prayers and goodwill as he begins his new pastoral and diplomatic service.