Pope Names New Permanent Observer of Holy See to UN Agencies

Spanish Priest Msgr. Fernando Chica Arellano Has Served in Diplomatic Corp Since 2002

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This morning, Pope Francis appointed Msgr. Fernando Chica Arellano as Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organizations, including the F.A.O., I.F.A.D., and W.F.P. The Holy See made the announcement following this morning’s consistory. 

Born in Mengíbar, Spain on June 24, 1963, Fernando Chica Arellano, would go on to hold a degree in theology and was ordained a priest on April 19, 1987.

Having entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See on July 1, 2002, he worked in the Apostolic Nunciature in Colombia, in the Papal Representation at the UN to Geneva and in the Section for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State.

Monsignor Arellano speaks Italian, French and English.

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Deborah Castellano Lubov

Deborah Castellano Lubov is Senior Vatican & Rome Correspondent for ZENIT; author of 'The Other Francis' ('L'Altro Francesco') featuring interviews with those closest to the Pope and preface by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin (currently published in 5 languages); Deborah is also NBC & MSNBC Vatican Analyst. She often covers the Pope's travels abroad, often from the Papal Flight (including for historic trips such as to Abu Dhabi and Japan & Thailand), and has also asked him questions on the return-flight press conference on behalf of the English-speaking press present. Lubov has done much TV & radio commentary, including for NBC, Sky, EWTN, BBC, Vatican Radio, AP, Reuters and more. She also has contributed to various books on the Pope and has written for various Catholic publications. For 'The Other Francis': http://www.gracewing.co.uk/page219.html or https://www.amazon.com/Other-Francis-Everything-They-about/dp/0852449348/

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