THE NEW papal nuncio to Ireland, Archbishop Giuseppe Leanza, has presented his credential letters to President Mary McAleese.
At a state ceremony in Áras an Uachtaráin yesterday, President McAleese welcomed Archbishop Leanza (65) and wished him well in his new posting.
The Government was represented by Minister for Education and Science Mary Hanafin and others present included Loughlin Quinn, deputy secretary general to the President, and Dan Mulhall, the assistant secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Pope Benedict XVI appointed Archbishop Leanza as apostolic nuncio to Ireland on February 22nd. He succeeds Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto, who is the new papal nuncio to Australia.
Archbishop Leanza served previously as papal nuncio in Haiti, Bosnia Herzegovina, Slovenia, the Republic of Macedonia and most recently Bulgaria.
On May 10th, a liturgical reception for Archbishop Leanza will be hosted by the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Diarmuid Martin, at St Mary's Pro-Cathedral at 6pm. Archbishop Leanza will be the principal celebrant and will preach the homily.
