European Union nuncio to celebrate Columbus Italian festival Mass

Archbishop Bernardito Cleopas Auza, the apostolic nuncio to the European Union, will celebrate an outdoor Mass for the 46th annual Columbus Italian Festival on Sunday, Oct. 11. The Mass begins at 10:15 a.m. with a procession from the ABC6 Entertainment Pavilion at the Carfagna’s Traditional Stage.

Bishop Earl Fernandes and Father Vincent Nguyen will concelebrate the Mass. Father Nguyen serves as the pastor for St. John the Baptist and Sacred Heart churches in the Italian Village neighborhood. The festival takes place from Oct. 9 to Oct. 11 at St. John the Baptist.

Archbishop Auza represents the Holy See in diplomatic relations with the European Union and resides in Belgium. He was appointed to his position in March 2025. Father Nguyen stated that hosting the archbishop and bishop at the festival is a significant honor for the community.