Pope Francis appoints new Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain

Archbishop Gugerotti, 2014 Wiki image

Pope Francis has named Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti as Apostolic Nuncio in Great Britain today, 4 July 2020.

Since November 2015, Archbishop Gugerotti has held the post Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine. He previously served as the Pope's representative to Georgia and Armenia, as well as to Azerbaijan (2001-2011), and later as Nuncio to Belarus (2011-2015).

Claudio Gugerotti was born in Verona, Italy, on 7 October 1955 and ordained a priest of the Diocese of Verona on 29 May 1982. He earned degrees in Eastern languages and literature and in sacred liturgy. He taught patristics at the San Zeno Theological Institute in Verona from 1981 to 1984, and theology and Eastern liturgy at the Institute of Ecumenical Studies in Verona from 1982 to 1985. In 1985, he joined the Roman Curia, working at the Congregation for the Eastern Churches; he became its undersecretary on 17 December 1997. He has also taught patristics and Armenian language and literature at the Pontifical Oriental Institute.

On 7 December 2001, Pope John Paul II appointed him Apostolic Nuncio to Georgia and to Armenia, as well as Titular Archbishop of Ravello. He was also appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Azerbaijan on 13 December 2001. He received his episcopal consecration from John Paul on 6 January 2002.

Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Apostolic Nuncio to Belarus on 15 July 2011. On 13 November 2015, Pope Francis appointed him Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine.

The previous Nuncio to Great Britain, Archbishop Edward Adams, retired at the age of 75, in January 2020.