The new Apostolic Nuncio to Malta, His Excellency Mgr. Mario Roberto Cassar, Titular Archbishop of Tronto, arrived in Malta today, earlier this afternoon.

The Apostolic Nuncio was welcomed at the Malta International Airport by Gozo Bishop Mario Grech, President of the Maltese Episcopal Conference, Archbishop Emeritus Mons. Paul Cremona OP, and by the Vicar General of Malta Fr Joe Galea Curmi.

Pope Francis appointed Monsignor Mario Roberto Cassari in May. The Apostolic Nuncio was born in Ghilarza (Oristano, Sardinia, Italy) on 27th

In August 1943. He was ordained priest for the Diocese of Ampurias e Tempio on 27th December 1969. He obtained a Degree in Theology and Licence in Canon Law at Pontifical Lateran University in Rome.

Between 1969 – 1974 he was Parish Vicar at the Cathedral of Tempio Pausania (Sardinia); Teacher at Secondary School; Bishop’s Secretary and Studies of Pedagogic Sciences at University of Sassari (Italy).

After these years of pastoral ministry, he studied at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome and joined the Diplomatic Service of the Holy See on 22th

March 1977. He then served in the Apostolic Nunciature in Pakistan, Colombia, Ecuador, Sudan, South Africa, Japan, Austria, Lithuania (Latvia/Estonia), Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia/Montenegro) and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

On 3rd August 1999 he was elected Titular Archbishop of Tronto and nominated Apostolic Nuncio to Congo and Gabon. On 16th October 1999 he was consecrated Bishop.

On 31st July 2004 he was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso, and on 8th September 2004 appointed also Apostolic Nuncio to Niger.

On 14th February 2008 he was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Croatia. On 10th March 2012 he was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland.

Archbishop Cassari speaks Italian, French, Spanish and English.

As the Apostolic Nuncio in Malta, Monsignor Cassari will represent the Holy Father and the Holy See both with regard to the Local Churches of Malta and Gozo, as well as to the Civil Authorities.

He will also be the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Republic of Malta. It is the duty of the Papal Representative to strengthen the bonds of communion between the Apostolic See and the Church present in the country where he is posted.

For this reason, it is the responsibility of the Apostolic Nuncio to assist the Bishops as they carry out their pastoral role. At the same time, the Nuncio promotes and facilitates the relations between the People and the Government of Malta and the Holy See.

Photograph: Photocity, Valletta

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