He is also Permanent Representative of the Holy See to the international fora in Geneva where the Holy See participates as a Member or State Party.
Archbishop Balestrero was born in Genoa, Italy, on 21 December 1966.
He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Rome on 18 September 1993, and possesses a Licentiate Degree in Theology and a Doctorate in Canon Law.
Having entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See on 1 July 1996, he served in the Pontifical Representations in South Korea and Mongolia (1996-1998), the Netherlands (1998-2001) and in the Section for Relations with States of the Secretariat of State of the Holy See (2001-2009).
On 19 August 2009, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Under Secretary for Relations with States of the Secretariat of State of the Holy See.
Having been named Apostolic Nuncio to Colombia on 22 February 2013, Archbishop Balestrero received his Episcopal Consecration on 27 April 2013.
On 6 July 2018, he was appointed Head of Mission of the Holy See at the Apostolic Nunciature to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and on 27 April 2019, he was named Apostolic Nuncio to the DRC.
On 21 June 2023, Archbishop Balestrero was appointed Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations and Specialized Institutions in Geneva and to the World Trade Organization, and Representative of the Holy See to the International Organization for Migration.