Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Holy See’s secretary for relations with states and international organizations, will give Boston College’s 2026 commencement address, according to The Boston College Chronicle.
In 2014, the late Pope Francis appointed Gallagher as secretary for relations with states, the first native English speaker to hold that position.
“[Gallagher] serves as the voice of the Holy See on foreign affairs, advocating for humanitarian alternatives to war that promote ‘justice, dialogue, and the uplifting of the poor and of those most in need,’” the Chronicle reads.
University President Rev. William P. Leahy, S.J., will also present Gallagher with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree during the ceremony.
Born in 1954 in Liverpool, England, Gallagher graduated from the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome in 1985. The academy is considered the training ground for Vatican diplomats.
In his current role, Gallagher’s responsibilities include overseeing the Second Section of the Secretariat, which presides over matters concerning civil governments and international affairs, including attending the funeral of Queen Elizabeth as Pope Francis’ representative.
His first three postings thereafter took him to Tanzania, Uruguay, and the Philippines.
Some of Gallagher’s most notable prior positions include representative of the Holy See at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, Titular Archbishop of Hode, and Apostolic Nuncio in Burundi, Guatemala, and Australia.
In a February homily, Gallagher emphasized the need to rebuild trust in the world to foster hope and peace abroad.
“Our world is darkened by wars and conflicts, by polarization and deep divisions,” Gallagher said. “In such a climate, hope can seem distant, even elusive. Yet this hope can be nourished only by the responsibility assumed by each person to rebuild trust where it has been wounded, persevere in dialogue when it is slow and arduous, and keep open the paths that lead to peace.”
Gallagher is also involved in leading the rapprochement attempts of the Catholic Church with Vietnam, which cut ties with the Vatican in 1975.
Gallagher’s commencement address will take place on May 18 in Alumni Stadium.
In addition to Gallagher, the University will present honorary degrees to Glori Alvarez, president of Logotique and BC ’88; Joyce M. and William S. Cummings, founders of the Cummings Foundation; Sister Jeanette Gaudet, a missionary Franciscan Sister of the Immaculate Conception; and Mathias Kiwanuka, a two-time Super Bowl–winning NFL defensive end and BC ’05.
