Christophe Zakhia El-Kassis

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Christophe Zakhia El-Kassis (born 24 August 1968) is a Lebanese Catholic archbishop and diplomat of the Holy See. He has been a nuncio since 2018 and has served as the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations since July 2026.

Early years

Christophe Zakhia El-Kassis was born in Beirut on 24 August 1968. He earned a doctorate in both civil law and church law. He was ordained a priest for the Maronite Archeparchy of Beirut on 21 May 1994.[1] He is fluent in Lebanese, Arabic, French, Italian, English, Indonesian, Spanish, and German[2]

Diplomatic career

He joined the diplomatic service of the Holy See on 19 June 2000 and served in the Apostolic Nunciatures in Indonesia, Sudan, and Turkey.[3] From 2007 until 2018, he worked at the Foreign Relations office of the Secretariat of State in the Holy See,[4] where he had responsibility for the Arab nations.[5]

On 24 November 2018, Pope Francis appointed him as Titular Archbishop of Rusellae and named him Apostolic Nuncio to Pakistan.[3] He received his episcopal consecration in St. Peter's Basilica on 19 January 2019 from Cardinal Pietro Parolin,[1] with Cardinal Dominique Mamberti and Archbishop Paul Youssef Matar as co-consecrators.[6]

On 3 January 2023, Pope Francis appointed him the Apostolic Nuncio to the United Arab Emirates.[7] He was the first nuncio to become a resident in the nunciature in Abu Dhabi,[5] which opened in February 2022.[4]

In May 2024, he participated in a penal discussion of the Document on Human Fraternity at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. He said it "represents a pioneering approach for individuals and communities that focuses on human respect and concern for the interests of others". He reported that the Holy See was promoting it "by engaging with institutions, organizations, decision-makers, and others to integrate it into educational systems".[8]

On 22 July 2024, Pope Francis added to his responsibilities those of nuncio to Yemen and Apostolic Delegate to the Arabian Peninsula[9]

On 25 July 2026, Pope Leo XIV appointed him Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations in New York.[10]

References

  1. 1.[1.2]"Apostolic nuncio to UAE and Yemen named Holy See's permanent observer to UN". National Catholic Reporter. 25 July 2026. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  2. 2."Resignations and Appointments, 24.11.2018" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. 24 November 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
  3. 3.[3.2]"Resignations and Appointments, 24.11.2018" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. 24 November 2018. Retrieved 24 November 2018.
  4. 4.[4.2]Bayouk, Munir (27 January 2023). "Pope names Monsignor Christophe El-Kassis as apostolic nuncio to UAE". Abouna. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  5. 5.[5.2]"In suffering Yemen, a new representative of the Pope". Aleteia. 26 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  6. 6.Catholic Hierarchy Accessed 26 January 2019
  7. 7."Resignations and Appointments, 03.01.2023" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. 3 January 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  8. 8."Document of Human Fraternity Discussed at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair". Muslim Council of Elders. 6 May 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
  9. 9."Resignations and Appointments, 22.07.2024" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. 22 July 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  10. 10."Pope names new Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the UN in New York". Vatican News. 25 July 2026. Retrieved 25 July 2026.