Ireland's new papal nuncio appointed

US Archbishop Charles John Brown has been announced as Ireland's new papal nuncio.

The 52-year-old Irish-American has worked with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which was headed by the then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, since 1994.

The former ambassador, Giuseppe Leanza, was recalled from his post in July following the publication of the Cloyne report.

The report detailed the Catholic Church's handling of abuse claims against 19 clerics in the Cork diocese.

While the Vatican did not specifically give a reason for recalling Archbishop Leanza, it was widely believed to be in response to a speech made by the Taoiseach in the Dáil criticising the Vatican's response to the abuse.

Enda Kenny said its response showed a culture of "dysfunction, disconnection, elitism and narcissism".

Earlier this month, the Government announced its decision to close its embassy to the Vatican.