In 2026, Catholic Denmark will solemnly celebrate the 1,200th anniversary of the mission of Saint Ansgar, the French monk who arrived in the Nordic country in 826 to sow the seeds of faith. “Many things are already planned”, Bishop Czeslaw Kozon wrote in a letter to the faithful, for that year which, “with Pope Leo’s special attention to our diocese”, may serve to “deepen our faith and strengthen our joy in the Church”. Indeed, it was announced today that the Pope has appointed the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, as his special legate for the solemn opening of this jubilee year with the task of presiding over the solemn celebration on 25 January 2026. “It is a great honour for our diocese that Pope Leo XIV has chosen to show his participation and spiritual presence in this way”, Mgr Kozon added, who in his letter went on to explain the difference between a nuncio, “the Pope’s permanent representative in a country, both in relation to the local Church and as ambassador to that country”, and the “papal legate” who “is appointed to represent the Pope at specific solemn events and should be considered the person closest to the Pope’s personal participation”.