Pope Francis Names New Apostolic Nuncio to Cuba

The Holy See announced today that Pope Francis has named Archbishop Giorgio Lingua, the Apostolic Nuncio in Iraq and Jordan as the Apostolic Nuncio in Cuba.

Mar 18, 2015

VAICAN CITY: The Holy See announced today that Pope Francis has named Archbishop Giorgio Lingua, the Apostolic Nuncio in Iraq and Jordan as the Apostolic Nuncio in Cuba.

Archbishop Lingua will succeed Archbishop Bruno Musaro who was appointed as the papal nuncio to Egypt.

The Italian prelate has a long diplomatic career with the Holy See since 1992. Among the countries he has served in are the Ivory Coast, the United States, Serbia and Italy. He has also served in the Office of Relations with States of the Secretariat of State, and was mainly overseeing Latin American and Caribbean countries.

Archbishop Lingua's appointment to Cuba comes at historical time for the island nation. Three months ago, the US and Cuba agreed to reestablish diplomatic relations. It was revealed by Presidents Raul Castro and Barak Obama that Pope Francis played a significant role in forging the agreement.

At the same time, the Apostolic Nuncio leaves a country that finds its marred by war and persecution against Christians and religious minorities by the so-called 'Islamic State'. The Holy See has yet announce who will succeed Archbishop Lingua in Iraq and Jordan. --CNA