A farewell reception hosted by the general manager of Aman Exchange Company brought together the ambassadors of the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan along with the chargé d’affaires from the Bangladesh embassy, members of Kuwait’s business community and civil society, and the nuncio’s personal friends. Archbishop Eugene Martin Nugent, who assumed his duties following an appointment by Pope Francis on January 7, 2021, according to the Apostolic Nunciature to Kuwait, used the occasion to reflect on a tenure that began as global society emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic. The period encompassed the war in Ukraine, the conflict in Gaza and heightened military tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran, developments that at times produced anxiety, airspace closures, flight disruptions and employment losses for some in the expatriate community.
Nugent light-heartedly observed that he might soon find himself in the cold of Prague wondering why he had complained about Kuwait’s summer heat. “Wherever I Go, Part of My Heart Will Remain Here,” the papal nuncio stated during his remarks. His time in the Gulf featured both challenges and moments of progress for the local Catholic community, which includes several hundred thousand faithful drawn primarily from the large expatriate workforce.
The nuncio highlighted Pope Francis’ visit to Bahrain in November 2022 as an unforgettable demonstration of dialogue, fraternity and peaceful coexistence that resonated deeply with Catholics across the region. That spirit carried forward with the January 2026 visit by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy See’s secretary of state, during which Our Lady of the Arabs Church in Ahmadi was elevated to minor basilica status, an historic acknowledgment of the Catholic Church’s longstanding presence in Kuwait. Holy See diplomatic records confirm that Kuwait established formal relations with the Vatican on October 21, 1968, becoming the first country on the Arabian Peninsula to do so.
Beyond major diplomatic events, Nugent recalled participation in religious and cultural celebrations, national day observances and frequent meetings with Kuwaiti youth as well as expatriate groups that frequently developed into genuine friendships. He spoke warmly of the hospitality extended by Kuwaiti and Gulf hosts, including family dinners, desert camping trips, visits to private chalets and evenings spent in traditional diwaniyas. Informal gatherings of this nature, the nuncio noted, often served as venues where some of the strongest bridges are built.
Visits to American and Italian military bases, where he led prayers at Christmas and Easter services, provided another perspective on life in the region. Nugent pointed out that behind every uniform are men and women far from their homelands who carry heavy responsibilities and personal sacrifices. He stressed that the human connections formed during these encounters, which transcend boundaries of nationality, religion, language and culture, would travel with him to his next posting.
In his concluding thoughts Nugent thanked everyone who had offered friendship and hospitality throughout his assignment while offering prayers that Kuwait and the wider Gulf continue to enjoy peace, stability and prosperity. The transition to papal nuncio in the Czech Republic follows earlier diplomatic roles in Haiti, Madagascar and Hong Kong, according to information from the Apostolic Nunciature. The Irish-born prelate leaves behind a network of relationships built over more than five years of service.
