The Vatican announced on July 25 that Pope Leo XIV has appointed Maronite Archbishop Christophe-Zhakia El-Kassis, 57, as the Holy See’s new permanent observer to the United Nations in New York. He succeeds Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, who was appointed apostolic nuncio to the United States in March.
Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Archbishop El-Kassis brings extensive diplomatic experience, having served as apostolic nuncio to the United Arab Emirates and Yemen, as well as apostolic delegate to the Arabian Peninsula. He is fluent in Arabic, French, Italian, English, Indonesian, Spanish, and German.
Permanent observers are roughly equivalent to ambassadors. Because the Holy See is not a full member of the United Nations, its permanent observers may attend most meetings and access key documentation, but they cannot vote.
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