New papal nuncio to PH arrives

Archbishop Gabriele Giodano Caccia arrived in Manila on Friday afternoon to assume his new post as papal nuncio to the Philippines.

Caloocan bishop Pablo Virgilio David announced the prelate’s arrival in the country in a post on his Facebook account.

The incoming vice president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines said Caccia’s plane arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport’s Terminal 3 at 1 p.m. Friday.

Caccia, a native of Milan, Italy, was appointed in September by Pope Francis as the new apostolic nuncio to the country.

He replaced archbishop Giuseppe Pinto, also an Italian, who was transferred to Croatia in July.

Among the prelates who welcomed Caccia at the NAIA were Manila archbishop emeritus Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, Davao archbishop Romulo Valles, Palo archbishop John Du, Lipa archbishop Gilbert Garcera;

Imus bishop Reynaldo Evangelista, Antipolo bishop Francisco de Leon and Paranaque bishop Jesse Mercado.

David added that also present to welcome Caccia were the nunciature’s staff, the CBCP general secretariat, former ambassador to the Holy See Leonida Vera, and Argentinian ambassador to the Philippines Roberto Bosch.

Prior to his appointment as apostolic nuncio of the Philippines, Caccia has served as apostolic nuncio to Lebanon since 2009. He also served as the assessor for general affairs of the Vatican’s secretariat of state.

His new post in Manila will be his second assignment as papal ambassador.

Caccia was born on February 24, 1958 in Milan, Italy and was ordained as a priest on June 11, 1983. He was named an archbishop in September 2009.