Biography of Emil Paul Tscherrig

Emil Paul Tscherrig (born 3 February 1947 in Unterems; died 12 May 2026 in Rome) was a Swiss cleric, diplomat of the Holy See and cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. Over decades he represented the Vatican in Africa, the Caribbean, Asia, Northern Europe, Argentina and finally in Italy and San Marino. In 2023 Pope Francis made him a member of the College of Cardinals.

Background and ordination

Tscherrig was born in the Upper Valais village of Unterems and was formed within the Diocese of Sion. After studies in theology and canon law, he was ordained a priest on 11 April 1974 and incardinated in the Diocese of Sion. The Vatican also records a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical Gregorian University. This combination of Swiss roots, ecclesiastical training and legal precision shaped his later path.

Diplomatic service of the Holy See

In 1978 Tscherrig entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See. He first worked as a secretary in pontifical representations, including in Uganda, South Korea, Mongolia and Bangladesh. On 4 May 1996 Pope John Paul II appointed him titular archbishop of Voli and Apostolic Nuncio in Burundi; Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano consecrated him bishop on 27 June 1996.

Nunciatures on several continents

After Burundi, assignments followed in the Caribbean, then in South Korea and Mongolia, and from 2008 in the Nordic countries. On 5 January 2012 Tscherrig became Apostolic Nuncio to Argentina. There he represented the Holy See in a country from which, only a few months later, the new Pope Francis would come. His work remained largely diplomatic and institutional: maintaining relations, preparing episcopal appointments and accompanying contacts between Church, state and local churches.

Italy, San Marino and the College of Cardinals

On 12 September 2017 Pope Francis appointed him Apostolic Nuncio to Italy and San Marino. The appointment was notable because, according to Vatican and Swiss sources, Tscherrig was the first non-Italian to hold that office. On 30 September 2023 Francis created him cardinal and assigned him the deaconry of San Giuseppe in Via Trionfale. His active service as nuncio ended on 11 March 2024; afterward he remained present in Roman responsibilities, including church bodies.

Death and burial

Emil Paul Tscherrig died in Rome on 12 May 2026 at the age of 79. Pope Leo XIV offered condolences to his family and the Diocese of Sion; on 15 May 2026 he presided over the funeral Mass in St Peter's Basilica. Swiss church media later reported on the lying in state in Valais and Tscherrig's wish to be buried in the cemetery of his home village, Unterems. His life connects Upper Valais with long service in Vatican diplomacy.