His Eminence, Pope Francis has appointed an African priest to the role of apostolic nuncio to Ireland, for the first time. The position of Apostolic Nuncio is the Vatican’s diplomatic representative in Ireland.

Pope Francis appointed 60-year-old Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo from Kano in Nigeria. Archbishop Okolo is due to take up the role during the summer. Archbishop Okolo entered the priesthood in 1983. He speaks English, French, Italian, Igbo, Spanish and German.