Bengaluru, May 03: The Holy Father Pope Francis’ newly appointed Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal His Excellency Giambattista Diquattro was cordially received and welcomed by Archbishop Most. Rev. Dr. Bernard Moras at the Archbishop’s house, May 01st along with members of the Archdiocesan Curia at 1.15 pm.

The Papal ambassador (appointed on 21st January 2017) who was warmly greeted with a bouquet, a garland and draped with an Indian shawl by the Archbishop in the midst of Vicars General Rev. Monsignor S Jayanathan, Monsignor C Francis, Chancellor Fr. A S Anthonyswamy, Financial Administrator Fr. Martin Kumar, Secretary to the Archbishop Fr. Selva Kumar and NBCLC Director Fr. Sagayaraj John expressed great joy over being in India. “I always admire the faith, fervor and devotion of the Catholics in India and it is certainly a joy to be here” the Prelate said. Archbishop Moras who is spiritual head to over 4 million Catholics briefed the Nuncio of the various pastoral and spiritual initiatives in the Archdiocese.

His Excellency Giambattista Diquattro was in Bengaluru to preside over the Eucharistic celebration and Golden jubilee celebrations of the NBCLC on 2nd May. He will also preside over a concelebrated High mass at the Infant Jesus Shrine on 4th May.

The Italian Archbishop who joined the Vatican Diplomatic service in 1985 has since served in several key positions as Apostolic Nuncio to Bolivia, diplomatic positions in the pontifical representations of the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Chad, Vatican Secretariat of state, as Vatican representative in the UN in New York, in the Apostolic Nunciature in Italy and also as Apostolic Nuncio of Panama. The Prelate speaks fluent Italian, French, Spanish and English.