MANILA — Pope Leo XIV has appointed the former apostolic nuncio to the Philippines as the Holy See’s envoy to the United States.

In a statement, the Holy See Press Office announced that Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia has been named apostolic nuncio to the United States.

“The Holy Father has appointed Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia, titular of Sepino, until now Holy See Permanent Observer at the United Nations in New York, as apostolic nuncio in the United States of America,” the Holy See’s statement read.

Caccia will replace Cardinal Christophe Pierre, 80, who is retiring after serving as the Vatican’s ambassador to the U.S. since 2016.

Caccia previously served as apostolic nuncio to the Philippines after being appointed by Pope Francis in September 2017. In 2019, he was named the Holy See’s permanent observer to the United Nations, succeeding his diplomatic post in Manila. Archbishop Charles Brown later took over the role in the country.

Caccia served in the Philippines during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte, when tensions were high between the Catholic Church and the government amid Duterte’s war on drugs.

Upon leaving the country, Duterte conferred on the Italian prelate the Order of Sikatuna with the Rank of Datu.