New papal nuncio to Israel has long diplomatic experience
August 20, 2012
Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto, a veteran Vatican diplomat currently serving in Australia, has been named the new apostolic nuncio to Israel.
Archbishop Lazzarotto has previous diplomatic experience in the Middle East, having been the apostolic nuncio to Jordan and Iraq. He also served as nuncio in Ireland before taking his latest post in Australia in 2007.
The Italian prelate told Vatican Radio that he recognized his new assignment as “a major challenge.” He said that he would work to strengthen ties with all parties in the Middle East, because “it is only through dialogue that a just solution can be found to meet the various aspirations of the different peoples of the region.” He added that he hoped to help the Christians living in the Holy Land to “live together, in harmony and fraternity, to be living witnesses to the risen Lord.”
Along with his formal diplomatic assignment in Israel, Archbishop Lazzarotto will also serve as apostolic delegate to Jerusalem and Palestine.
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Further information:
- Lazzarotto new Nuncio to Israel; Delegate to Jerusalem, Palestine (Vatican Radio)
- Pope names Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto as new ambassador to Israel (AP)
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