Cardinal Pierre serves as Apostolic Nuncio to the US and representative to Pope Leo XIV.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Diocese of St. Augustine announced on Thursday that a representative of Pope Leo XIV will be in Jacksonville to celebrate the upcoming Red Mass.
Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the Vatican’s U.S. ambassador, will serve as the principal celebrant of the Diocese’s 35th annual Red Mass on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Jacksonville.
Pierre, who was named a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023, has served as the pope’s representative to the U.S. and liaison to the church and U.S. government since 2016. He previously served as a representative to Mexico, Uganda and Haiti.
Cardinal Pierre will be joined by Bishop Erik T. Pohlmeier, who says that his visit is a “profound blessing.”
“His ministry reflects the Holy Father’s call for unity and dialogue in the Church and the world, and we are honored to welcome him during this Jubilee Holy Year.”
According to the Diocese, the Red Mass is a tradition dating back to 13th century Europe. It honors members of both the clergy and the legal community gathering “to invoke the Holy Spirit’s guidance at the start of the judicial year.”