ZAMBIA: Pope Francis Appoints New Nuncio for Zambia and Malawi
His excellency Gian Luca Perici. Credit Courtesy photo
Mwenya Mukuka
Pope Francis has announced the appointment of new apostolic Nuncio for two countries in the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) region; Zambia and Malawi.
The Holy Father, in an appointment message dated 5th June, 2023 named His excellency Gian Luca Perici as the Apostolic Nuncio to Zambia and Malawi.
He replaces Archbishop Gianfranco Gallone who was redeployed to Uruguay in the same capacity at the start of 2023.
Born in 1964, Italy, Archbishop Perici was ordained priest in 1991 and holds a Doctorate in Canon Law.
His Grace Perici joined the diplomatic service of the Holy See on 1st July, 2001 and has served in the Apostolic nunciature in Mexico, Haiti, Malta, Angola, Brazil, Sweden, Spain and Portugal.
Disclosing the news to the media, the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretary General Rev. Fr. Francis Mukosa welcomed Archbishop Perici.
Pope Paul IV opened the Nunciature in Zambia on 27th October, 1965 with Archbishop Alfredo Poledrini being the first Apostolic Nuncio.
Since 1965 Zambia has had 9 Apostolic Nuncio who also plays as Vatican ambassadors.
