# Christophe Pierre

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French cardinal and diplomat (born 1946)

His Eminence Christophe Pierre Cardinal Apostolic Nuncio Emeritus to the United States Pierre in 2018 Appointed 12 April 2016 Retired 7 March 2026 Predecessor Carlo Maria Viganò Successor Gabriele Giordano Caccia Other post Cardinal-Deacon of San Benedetto fuori Porta San Paolo (2023–present) Previous post Apostolic Nuncio to Mexico (2007–2016) Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda (1999–2007) Apostolic Nuncio to Haiti (1995–1999) Titular Archbishop of Gunela (1995–2023) Orders Ordination 5 April 1970 by Paul Gouyon Consecration 24 September 1995 by Angelo Sodano Created cardinal 30 September 2023 by Pope Francis Rank Cardinal Deacon Personal details Born Christophe Louis Yves Georges Pierre (1946-01-30) 30 January 1946 (age 80) Rennes, France Motto Si scires donum Dei (Latin for 'If you knew the gift of God') Styles Reference style His Eminence The Most Reverend Eminence Spoken style Your Eminence Religious style Cardinal Informal style Cardinal Ordination history History Episcopal consecration Consecrated by Angelo Sodano Date September 24, 1995 Episcopal succession Bishops consecrated by Christophe Pierre as principal consecrator Joseph Serge Miot October 12, 1997 Enrique Sanchez Martinez October 10, 2008 Jorge Carlos Patrón Wong December 15, 2009 Raúl Gómez González January 25, 2010 José Armando Álvarez Cano January 30, 2012 Jaime Calderón Calderón October 5, 2012 Rafael Valdéz Torres July 31, 2013 Gerardo Díaz Vázquez October 22, 2014 Hilario González García January 22, 2015 Cristóbal Ascencio García February 12, 2015 Francisco Eduardo Cervantes Merino April 23, 2015 Fidencio López Plaza May 20, 2015 José Alberto González Juárez July 22, 2015 Jose Hirais Acosta Beltran March 14, 2016 José Fortunato Álvarez Valdéz March 16, 2016

**Christophe Louis Yves Georges Pierre** (French pronunciation: [\[kʁistɔf pjɛʁ\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/French), born 30 January 1946) is a [French Catholic](/source/Catholic_Church_in_France) prelate and diplomat who served as [Apostolic Nuncio to the United States](/source/Apostolic_Nunciature_to_the_United_States) from 2016 to 2026. He previously served as apostolic nuncio to [Mexico](/source/Apostolic_Nunciature_to_Mexico), [Uganda](/source/Apostolic_Nunciature_to_Uganda), and [Haiti](/source/Apostolic_Nunciature_to_Haiti). He was made a [cardinal](/source/Cardinal_(Catholic_Church)) in 2023.

## Biography

### Early life

Christophe Louis Yves Georges Pierre was born in [Rennes](/source/Rennes), [France](/source/France), on 30 January 1946 to a family with roots for many generations in [Brittany](/source/Brittany).[1] He was the eldest of six children. His father, who had not long before escaped from a prisoner-of-war camp in Austria, was a lawyer who moved his family when Christophe was three to [Madagascar](/source/Madagascar) where he worked for about ten years and then to [Marrakesh](/source/Marrakesh).[2][3] Pierre spent much of his childhood in Africa, mostly in Madagascar but also in [Malawi](/source/Malawi) and [Zimbabwe](/source/Zimbabwe).[4] He attended primary school at [Antsirabe](/source/Antsirabe) in Madagascar and then pursued his secondary studies at the College of [Saint-Malo](/source/Saint-Malo) and the [Lycée Victor-Hugo de Marrakech](/source/Lyc%C3%A9e_Victor_Hugo_(Marrakesh)).[5] He entered the Catholic seminary of Saint-Yves in [Rennes](/source/Rennes) in 1963, interrupting his studies to complete his required military service in France in 1965–66.[4]

### Priesthood

Pierre was ordained a priest of the [Archdiocese of Rennes](/source/Roman_Catholic_Archdiocese_of_Rennes) at the [Cathedral of Saint-Malo](/source/Saint-Malo_Cathedral) in [Saint-Malo, France](/source/Saint-Malo), on 5 April 1970.[5] He served as vicar of the parish of Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul in [Colombes](/source/Colombes), a Paris suburb, in the [Diocese of Nanterre](/source/Roman_Catholic_Diocese_of_Nanterre) from 1970 to 1973.[6] Pierre obtained his [Master of Theology](/source/Master_of_Theology) degree at the [Institut Catholique de Paris](/source/Institut_Catholique_de_Paris) and his [Doctor of Canon Law](/source/Doctor_of_Canon_Law_(Catholic_Church)) degree from the [Pontifical Lateran University](/source/Pontifical_Lateran_University) in Rome (1973-1977).[5]

## Diplomatic service

In 1973, he entered the [Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy](/source/Pontifical_Ecclesiastical_Academy), which trains [papal diplomats](/source/Nuncio).[7] He entered the Vatican diplomatic service on 5 March 1977,[5] serving first in [Wellington](/source/Wellington), New Zealand. Pierre then held posts in [Mozambique](/source/Mozambique), [Zimbabwe](/source/Zimbabwe), [Cuba](/source/Cuba), [Brazil](/source/Brazil), and as the [Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations](/source/Permanent_Observer_of_the_Holy_See_to_the_United_Nations_in_Geneva) in [Geneva](/source/Geneva).[4]

### Haiti

On 12 July 1995, [Pope John Paul II](/source/Pope_John_Paul_II) named Pierre as apostolic nuncio to Haiti and titular archbishop of [Gunela](/source/Africa_(Roman_province)#Episcopal_sees).[8] He received his episcopal consecration on 24 September in the Cathedral of Saint-Malo[5] from Cardinal Secretary of State [Angelo Sodano](/source/Angelo_Sodano).[9] He chose as his episcopal motto *Si Scires Donum Dei* ("If you knew the gift of God") [John 4:10](https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=John%204:10&version=nrsv).[5] In Haiti, which had experienced years of church-state conflict, Pierre was described as non-political. He arranged for Haitian President [Jean-Bertrand Aristide](/source/Jean-Bertrand_Aristide) to be released from his vows as a Catholic priest.[10]

### Uganda

On 10 May 1999, Pierre was transferred as apostolic nuncio to [Kampala](/source/Kampala), Uganda In 2000, he campaigned against the [Ugandan government's](/source/Ugandan_government) promotion of condom use to prevent the spread of [HIV/AIDS](/source/HIV%2FAIDS).[11] Vice President [Speciosa Kazibwe](/source/Speciosa_Kazibwe), herself a doctor, promoted [condom](/source/Condom) use during a national tour and complained that religious leaders were hampering the government's public health efforts. Pierre replied that condoms promoted "outright promiscuity" that would increase the incidence of HIV/AIDS.[12] Years later, Pierre linked Uganda's success in fighting HIV/AIDS to the church's [abstinence education](/source/Abstinence_education) strategy.[13] During his time in Uganda, Pierre worked with Italian missionary Father John Scalabrini in supporting many disadvantaged Ugandans with school and health care.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

Following the assassination of the papal nuncio to Burundi, Archbishop [Michael Courtney](/source/Michael_Courtney) on 29 December 2003, he celebrated his funeral mass in the Regina Mundi Cathedral in Bujumbura the next day and oversaw the work of the nunciature there until the appointment of a new nuncio, Archbishop [Paul Gallagher](/source/Paul_Gallagher_(bishop)) on 22 January 2004.[4]

### Mexico

On 22 March 2007, [Pope Benedict XVI](/source/Pope_Benedict_XVI) named Pierre as apostolic nuncio to Mexico.[14] He arrived just after the bishops of Latin America had produced their Aparecida statement and he later recalled being impressed by their achievement: "I read it, and I said, 'My God, this is new! The bishops finally have developed a pastoral plan which is the result of their synodal approach.' The fruit of Aparecida is a new pastoral approach. I saw it working in Mexico. It changes the church."[3]

After Pope Francis sharply criticized the Mexican bishops during his visit to Mexico in February 2016,[15] an editorial in the newspaper of the [Archdiocese of Mexico City](/source/Archdiocese_of_Mexico_City) objected to the Pope's criticism and asked: "Does the Pope have some reason for scolding Mexican bishops? ... [Do] the improvised words of the Holy Father respond to bad advice from someone close to him? Who gave the Pope bad advice?"[16] Pierre was generally recognized as the target of the editorial and the source of the "bad advice".[17]

Jorge E. Traslosheros wrote in *[Crux](/source/Crux_(online_newspaper))* that, while in Mexico, Pierre managed "to weave with an artist's skills unity among Catholics, thereby overcoming the political divisions and culture wars that have caused so much damage". Traslosheros credited Pierre with bridging Mexico's secular establishment and the Catholic populace.[18]

### United States

[Pope Francis](/source/Pope_Francis) named Pierre apostolic nuncio to the United States on 12 April 2016, succeeding Archbishop [Carlo Maria Viganò](/source/Carlo_Maria_Vigan%C3%B2).[19] He was the first Frenchman and the second Francophone to hold the position.[20] He later described his surprise that the American bishops were unaware of the Latin American bishops' synodal activity, their work at Aparecida, or that Pope Francis' *[Evangelii Gaudium](/source/Evangelii_Gaudium)* was based on it.[3]

Advocating for immigrants, he joined demonstrations and meetings with Texas-Mexico border bishops in October 2016 in [Nogales, Arizona](/source/Nogales%2C_Arizona),[21] and in February 2016 in [San Juan, Puerto Rico](/source/San_Juan%2C_Puerto_Rico).[22] Pierre celebrated Mass at the [National Scout Jamboree](/source/National_Scout_jamboree_(Boy_Scouts_of_America)) in July 2017 and discussed his five years in Scouting in a sermon that tied Scouting's ideals to Christian service.[23] The National Catholic Reporter described him as "a staunch defender of Francis in the U.S.".[24]

On 9 July 2023, Pope Francis announced his intention to make Pierre a cardinal at a consistory scheduled for 30 September.[25][26] At that consistory he was made Cardinal-Deacon of [San Benedetto fuori Porta San Paolo](/source/San_Benedetto_fuori_Porta_San_Paolo).[27] Taking possession of his titular church in April 2024, he said that as nuncio he never felt rootless but had learned "to find roots everywhere".[28] He also said that rather than proclaiming absolutes the Church needs to understand that "to be pro-life is also to help the people concretely, not just to defend an idea, not to embrace a political party which is pro-life, but also to be on the ground, an actor to defend the values, because we are not just in favor of a few values. We are disciples of Jesus and the disciples are a witness and are committed to helping."[29] On 4 October 2023, he was named a member of the [Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See](/source/Administration_of_the_Patrimony_of_the_Apostolic_See).[30]

In 2024, he was awarded an honorary degree from the [University of Notre Dame](/source/University_of_Notre_Dame).[31]

He participated as a [cardinal elector](/source/Cardinal_electors_in_the_2025_papal_conclave) in the [2025 papal conclave](/source/2025_papal_conclave) that elected [Pope Leo XIV](/source/Pope_Leo_XIV).[32]

#### 2026 meeting with Elbridge Colby

Further information: [2026 United States–Holy See rift](/source/2026_United_States%E2%80%93Holy_See_rift)

In April 2026, *[The Free Press](/source/The_Free_Press_(CBS_News))* reported that on 22 January 2026, Under Secretary of War for Policy [Elbridge Colby](/source/Elbridge_Colby) summoned Pierre to an "unprecedented" closed door "lecture" at the Pentagon.[33][34][35] According to *The Free Press*, Colby, along with several colleagues, used the meeting to criticize Pope Leo XIV's annual "state of the world" speech given in January 2026, and told Pierre that the United States "has the military power to do whatever it wants—and that the Church had better take its side."[34] Another official invoked the [Avignon Papacy](/source/Avignon_Papacy), a period during the 1300s where the [French Monarchy](/source/List_of_French_monarchs) used its military power to control the papacy.[34]

The report also noted that Pope Leo XIV may not visit the United States through the duration of Donald Trump's second presidency.[35]

On 8 April 2026, Vice President [JD Vance](/source/JD_Vance) was questioned about the report while visiting Hungary.[36][37] Vance said that "I would actually like to talk to Cardinal Cristophe Pierre and, frankly, to our people, to figure out what actually happened," adding "I think it's always a bad idea to offer an opinion on stories that are unconfirmed and uncorroborated, so I'm not going to do that."[36]

A [Department of Defense](/source/United_States_Department_of_Defense) spokesperson told *[Newsweek](/source/Newsweek)* that the report on the meeting was "highly exaggerated and distorted", adding "the meeting between Pentagon and Vatican officials was a respectful and reasonable discussion.[36] We have nothing but the highest regard and welcome continued dialogue with the Holy See."[36][38]

On 10 April 2026, the Vatican's spokesperson issued a statement saying "the narrative offered by some media outlets about this meeting does not correspond to the truth in any way."[39]

### Retirement

On 7 March 2026, [Pope Leo XIV](/source/Pope_Leo_XIV) accepted Pierre's resignation as apostolic nuncio to the United States, as he had reached the age limit of 80, and appointed Archbishop [Gabriele Giordano Caccia](/source/Gabriele_Giordano_Caccia) in his place.[40]

## See also

- [Cardinals created by Francis](/source/Cardinals_created_by_Francis)

- [List of heads of the diplomatic missions of the Holy See](/source/List_of_heads_of_the_diplomatic_missions_of_the_Holy_See)

## References

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1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-AM2023_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-AM2023_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-AM2023_3-2) Pierre, Christophe (2 November 2023). ["Cardinal Pierre on why the U.S. bishops are struggling to connect with Pope Francis"](https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2023/11/02/cardinal-christoph-pierre-interview-246416). *[America](/source/America_(magazine))* (Interview). Interviewed by Gerard O'Connell. Retrieved 4 June 2025.

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-33)** Hale, Christopher. ["The Pentagon Threatened Pope Leo XIV's Ambassador With the Avignon Papacy"](https://www.thelettersfromleo.com/p/the-pentagon-threatened-pope-leo). *www.thelettersfromleo.com*. Retrieved 8 April 2026.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_34-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_34-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:0_34-2) Ferraresi, Mattia. ["Why the Vatican and the White House Are on the Outs"](https://www.thefp.com/p/why-the-vatican-and-the-white-house). *www.thefp.com*. Retrieved 8 April 2026.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_35-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_35-1) ["American-born Pope Leo may not visit US while Trump is president, report says"](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/pope-leo-visit-us-trump-president-b2954080.html). *The Independent*. 8 April 2026. Retrieved 8 April 2026.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:2_36-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:2_36-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:2_36-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:2_36-3) ["JD Vance reacts to report US official issued threat to Vatican ambassador"](https://www.newsweek.com/jd-vance-reacts-report-us-official-issued-threat-vatican-ambassador-11802350). *Newsweek*. 8 April 2026. Retrieved 9 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-37)** Jenkins, Jack (9 April 2026). ["Pentagon-Vatican meeting latest flash point in Trump's clash with religious leaders"](https://religionnews.com/2026/04/08/pentagon-vatican-meeting-latest-flash-point-in-trumps-clash-with-religious-leaders/). *RNS*. Retrieved 9 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-38)** [https://thehill.com/policy/defense/5824857-pentagon-denies-threats-vatican/](https://thehill.com/policy/defense/5824857-pentagon-denies-threats-vatican/)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-39)** Rocca, Francis X. (10 April 2026). ["The Iran War Showed a New Side of Pope Leo"](https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/04/pope-leo-iran-war/686757/). *The Atlantic*. Retrieved 10 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-40)** ["Pope appoints Archbishop Gabriele Caccia as Apostolic Nuncio to the U.S."](https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-03/pope-leo-gabriele-caccia-apostolic-nuncio-usa.html) 7 March 2026.

## External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to ***[Christophe Pierre](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Special:Search/Christophe_Pierre)***.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Christophe Pierre](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Christophe_Pierre).

- [Pierre Card. Christophe Louis Yves Georges](https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_pierre_clyg.html). [Holy See Press Office](/source/Holy_See_Press_Office). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231001030752/https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_pierre_clyg.html) from the original on 1 October 2023

- ["Interview de Mgr Christophe Pierre"](https://web.archive.org/web/20231002185925/https://rennes.catholique.fr/actualite/406395-interview-de-mgr-christophe-pierre/). *Diocese of Rennes* (Interview). 27 September 2023. Archived from [the original](https://rennes.catholique.fr/actualite/406395-interview-de-mgr-christophe-pierre/) on 2 October 2023.

- [Catholic Hierarchy](http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bpierre.html)

Diplomatic posts Preceded by Lorenzo Baldisseri Apostolic Nuncio to Haiti 12 July 1995 – 10 May 1999 Succeeded by Luigi Bonazzi Preceded by Luis Robles Díaz Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda 10 May 1999 – 22 March 2007 Succeeded by Paul Tschang In-Nam Preceded by Giuseppe Bertello Apostolic Nuncio to Mexico 22 March 2007 – 12 April 2016 Succeeded by Franco Coppola Preceded by Carlo Maria Vigano Apostolic Nuncio to the United States 12 April 2016 – 7 March 2026 Succeeded by Gabriele Giordano Caccia Catholic Church titles Preceded by Emilio Bataclan Titular Archbishop of Gunela 24 September 1995 – 30 September 2023 Succeeded by Keith J. Chylinski Preceded by Achille Silvestrini Cardinal Deacon of San Benedetto fuori Porta San Paolo 30 September 2023 – present Incumbent

[Portals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents/Portals):
- [Biography](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Biography)
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- [France](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:France)

v t e College of Cardinals List of current cardinals Cardinals of the Catholic Church under Pope Leo XIV in order of precedence Cardinal bishops Re Sandri Arinze Bertone Martins Parolin Ouellet Filoni Stella Tagle Raï Sako Cardinal priests Kitbunchu Poupard Wetter López Rodríguez Mahony Darmaatmadja Wamala Maida Puljić Sandoval Stafford De Giorgi Rouco Schönborn Rivera Pujats Sepe Kasper Bačkis Errázuriz Napier Rodríguez Cipriani Herranz Scola Okogie Zubeir Wako Rigali Antonelli Turkson Bozanić Barbarin Erdő Rodé Vallini Rosales Ricard Cañizares O'Malley Dziwisz Zen Lajolo Comastri Ryłko Farina Brady Martínez Sistach Bagnasco Sarr Gracias Robles DiNardo Scherer Njue Sarah Monterisi Burke Koch Piacenza Ravasi Romeo Wuerl Assis Nycz Ranjith Marx Brandmüller de Castro Abril Vegliò Bertello Coccopalmerio Aviz O'Brien Calcagno Versaldi Alencherry Collins Eijk Betori Dolan Woelki Tong Harvey Thottunkal Onaiyekan Salazar Baldisseri Müller Nichols Brenes Lacroix Kutwa Tempesta Bassetti Poli Yeom Ezzati Ouédraogo Quevedo Langlois Clemente Souraphiel Dew Nguyễn Suárez Bo Kovithavanij Montenegro Sturla Blázquez Lacunza Gomes Furtado Mafi Villalba Langa Nzapalainga Osoro Rocha Cupich D'Rozario Porras De Kesel Piat Aguiar Retes Ribat Tobin Zerbo Omella Arborelius Mangkhanekhoun Rosa De Donatis Coutts Marto Barreto Tsarahazana Petrocchi Maeda Ticona Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo García Ambongo Besungu Hollerich Ramazzini Zuppi López Romero Tamkevičius Kambanda Gregory Advincula Aós Lojudice Arizmendi Aveline Okpaleke Steiner Ferrão McElroy do Carmo da Silva Cantoni Poola Costa Goh Martínez Flores Marengo Jiménez Miglio Pizzaballa Brislin Rossi Rueda Ryś Mulla Cobo Rugambwa Francis Chow Bustillo Alves Aguiar Padrón Castillo Bokalic Cabrera Chomalí Kikuchi David Nemet Spengler Bessi Dogbo Vesco Mathieu Repole Reina Leo Bychok Battaglia Cardinal deacons Mamberti Zenari Farrell Simoni Ladaria Becciu Krajewski Bocos Mendonça Czerny Fitzgerald Grech Semeraro Gambetti Tomasi Cantalamessa Feroci Roche You Vérgez Ghirlanda Frezza Gugerotti Fernández Pierre Fernández Artime Marchetto Acerbi Makrickas Radcliffe Baggio Koovakad Cardinals ineligible to participate in a papal conclave in italics See also: Titular Titular church List of titular churches List of creations of cardinals Category Media Catholic Church portal

v t e Cardinals created by Francis 2014 Parolin Baldisseri Müller Stella Nichols Brenes Lacroix Kutwa Tempesta Bassetti Poli Yeom Ezzati Ouédraogo Quevedo Langlois Capovilla Aguilar Felix 2015 Mamberti Clemente Souraphiel Dew Menichelli Nhơn Suárez Inda Bo Kovitvanit Montenegro Sturla Blázquez Lacunza Gomes Furtado Mafi Pimiento De Magistris Rauber Villalba Langa 2016 Zenari Nzapalainga Osoro da Rocha Cupich D'Rozario Porras De Kesel Piat Farrell Aguiar Retes Ribat Tobin Fernandez Corti Khoarai Simoni 2017 Zerbo Omella Arborelius Mangkhanekhoun Rosa 2018 Sako Ladaria De Donatis Becciu Krajewski Coutts Marto Barreto Tsarahazana Petrocchi Maeda Obeso Ticona Bocos 2019 Ayuso de Mendonça Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo García Ambongo Hollerich Ramazzini Zuppi López Czerny Fitzgerald Tamkevičius Dal Corso 2020 Grech Semeraro Kambanda Gregory Advincula Aós Braco Sim Lojudice Gambetti Arizmendi Tomasi Cantalamessa Feroci 2022 Roche You Vérgez Aveline Okpaleke Steiner Ferrão McElroy do Carmo da Silva Cantoni Poola Costa Baawobr Goh Martínez Flores Marengo Jimenéz Miglio Ghirlanda Frezza 2023 Prevost Gugerotti Fernández Tscherrig Pierre Pizzaballa Brislin Rossi Rueda Ryś Mulla Cobo Rugambwa Francis Chow Bustillo Alves Aguiar Fernández Artime Marchetto Padrón Dri 2024 Acerbi Castillo Bokalic Cabrera Chomali Kikuchi David Nemet Spengler Bessi Dogbo Vesco Mathieu Repole Reina Leo Makrickas Bychok Radcliffe Baggio Koovakad Battaglia Catholic Church portal

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Christophe Pierre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christophe_Pierre) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christophe_Pierre?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.