Pope Leo XIV appoints Lebanese-born archbishop as permanent observer to United Nations

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Lebanese-born Archbishop Christophe-Zakhia El-Kassis to serve as the Holy See’s permanent observer at the United Nations in New York, the Vatican announced on July 25. The Vatican is not a full member of the United Nations, but it enjoys permanent observer status. The international organization says permanent observers “have free access to most meetings and relevant documentation.” Born in Beruit, Archbishop El-Kassis previously served as apostolic nuncio to the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. He…