New Apostolic Delegate in Jerusalem and Palestine and Apostolic Nuncio in Israel

Archbishop Giuseppe LAZZAROTTO is Titular Archbishop of Numana (Italy), and until now Pontifical Representative in Australia. He takes over from Archbishop Antonio Franco, who has reached the venerable age of 75 years.  Archishop Franco remains responsible for the dossier for negotiations between the Holy See and Israel concerning fiscal concerns, taxes and Church lands in Israel.

Archbishop Giuseppe LAZZAROTTO was born in Carpanè (Province of Vicenza – Italy) on 24 May 1942. He was ordained a priest and incardinated in the Diocese of Padua (Italy) on April 1, 1967.

He has a doctorate in Canon Law and in 1971 joined the diplomatic service of the Holy See.

He was appointed to the Apostolic Nunciature in Zambia, Belgium, and Cuba;  to the Apostolic Delegation in Jerusalem and to the Vatican Secretariat of State in the Relations for States Section.

On  July23, 1994, he was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Republic of Iraq; as Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland on November 11, 2000 ; and Apostolic Nuncio in Australia on December 22, 2007.

Archbishop Lazzarotto speaks Italian, English, French and Spanish. He became a Member of the Irish Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre in 2006.