Apostolic Nuncio to UAE and Yemen Named Holy See’s New Permanent Observer to UN
The Lebanese-born archbishop will represent the Holy See at the United Nations after Archbishop Gabriele G. Caccia became papal nuncio to the United States.
- Pope Leo XIV appointed Archbishop Christophe-Zakhia el-Kassis as the Holy See's permanent observer to the United Nations in New York, the Holy See Press Office announced on Saturday.
- The Lebanese-born prelate succeeds Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, who now serves as papal nuncio to the United States in this diplomatic transition.
- El-Kassis entered the Vatican's diplomatic service in 2000, serving in Indonesia, Sudan, and Turkey, and is fluent in eight languages including Arabic, French, Italian, and Spanish.
- As a nuncio, the archbishop represents the Holy See as an ambassador, enabling participation in the United Nations General Assembly work—a role established April 6, 1964.
- Ordained a priest in Beirut in 1994, the archbishop holds doctorates in civil and canon law, having previously served as nuncio to Pakistan since November 2018.
11 Articles
11 Articles
The Tablet
Our Sunday VisitorApostolic Nuncio to UAE and Yemen Named Holy See’s New Permanent Observer to UN
Archbishop Christophe-Zakhia el-Kassis, seen in an undated photo, is the Holy See’s new permanent observer to the United Nations in New York, appointed to the post by Pope Leo XIV July 25, 2026. Archbishop el-Kassis has been apostolic nuncio to the United Arab Emirates since Jan. 3, 2023. He was named apostolic nuncio to Yemen and apostolic delegate to the Arabian Peninsula July 22, 2024. (OSV News/courtesy Holy See’s Permanent Observer Mission …
Pope Leo makes history, appoints Lebanese-born archbishop as UN observer - Deacon Greg Kandra
From OSV News: Pope Leo XIV has appointed Archbishop Christophe-Zakhia el-Kassis, apostolic nuncio to the United Arab Emirates and Yemen, as the Holy See’s new permanent observer to the United Nations in New York. The Lebanese-born archbishop, who is also apostolic delegate to the Arabian Peninsula, succeeds Archbishop Gabriele G. Caccia, who is now the papal nuncio to the United States. Archbishop Caccia had been U.N. nuncio from 2019 until …
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 66% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
