His Holiness Pope Francis appointed on August 1, 2105 Monsignor Alberto Ortega Martin, nunciature counsellor, apostolic nuncio to Jordan and Iraq.

A statement issued by the Catholic Center for Studies and Media (CCSM) noted that the new apostolic nuncio was born in Madrid, Spain, in 1962. After earning a doctorate in Canon Law, he entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See in 1997 and served in Nicaragua, South Africa, and Lebanon. He then served in the Section of Relations with States of the Secretariat of State.

CCSM Director Fr. Rif’at Bader referred to naming Monsignor Alberto Ortega Martin as successor of Archbishop Giorgio Lingua, who was transferred to the post of apostolic nuncio to Cuba, noting that the diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan were established in 1994. He added that the bilateral relations reached their climax of cordiality whereby Jordan has so far been visited by four popes.

Following is the text of statement issued by the Apostolic Nunciature in Amman:

Today, His Holiness Pope Francis has appointed Msgr Alberto Ortega Martin, Nunciature counsellor, Apostolic Nuncio to Jordan and Iraq, elevating at the same time to the dignity of the Archbishop.

The Archbishop-elect was born in Madrid, Spain, on November 14, 1962 and ordained priest on April 28, 1990. After earning a doctorate in Canon Law, he entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See in 1997 and has served in Nicaragua, South Africa, and Lebanon, and from 2004 in the Section of Relations with States of the Secretariat of State.

Monsignor Alberto speaks Italian, French and English.