Pope Names Apostolic Nuncio to Australia

This morning, the Vatican announced the appointment of Archbishop Tito Yllana as Apostolic Nuncio to Australia. Archbishop Yllana, until now, has served as the Apostolic Nuncio to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Archbishop Yllana replaced Archbishop Paul Gallagher, who now serves at the Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States.

The Filipino Prelate studied international diplomacy at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome and was named to his first post in 2001, as the Nuncio to Papua New Guinea. He has also served as the diplomatic representative to the Holy See in the Solomon Islands, Pakistan and the Congo.

Following the announcement by the Holy See, Archbishop Denis Hart, president of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference expressed his gratitude to the Holy Father for the appointment and welcomed Archbishop Yllana.

"Archbishop Yllana brings wide and diverse experience, great faith and priestly gifts. We assure him of a warm and enthusiastic welcome upon his arrival and service here in Australia," said in a statement.