Papal Nuncio to Ireland to move to Australia

Papal Nuncio to Ireland Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto has been appointed to the same post in Australia, the Catholic Church said today.

The 65-year-old was Papal Nuncio to Ireland for seven years.

He will become the Papal Nuncio to Australia ahead of a visit to Sydney by Pope Benedict next year.

The Italian born Dr Lazzarotto was previously Nuncio to Iraq and Jordan.

He will succeed Archbishop Ambrose De Paoli in Australia who died after a short illness in October.

A new Papal Nuncio to Ireland has yet to be appointed.