Alfred Xuereb facts for kids
Alfred Xuereb (born on October 14, 1958) is a Maltese leader in the Catholic Church. He works for the Holy See, which is the central government of the Catholic Church, like an ambassador. He used to be a private secretary for two Popes: Pope Benedict XVI from 2007 to 2013, and Pope Francis from 2013 to 2014.
Quick facts for kids His Excellency The Most Reverend Alfred Xuereb |
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| Apostolic Nuncio to Morocco Titular Archbishop of Amantia |
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| Church | Catholic Church |
| Appointed | 8 December 2023 |
| Predecessor | Osvaldo Padilla |
| Other posts | Titular Archbishop of Amantia |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 26 May 1984 |
| Consecration | 19 March 2018 by Pope Francis, Pietro Parolin and Fernando Filoni |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Alfred Xuereb |
| Born | 14 October 1958 Victoria, Gozo, Malta |
| Nationality | Maltese |
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| Alma mater | Pontifical Theological Faculty Teresianum |
| Motto | Ut Unum sint |
| Coat of arms |  |
| Styles of Alfred Xuereb |
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| Reference style |
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| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
| Religious style | Archbishop |
Contents
Alfred Xuereb's Life and Work
Alfred Xuereb was born in a town called Victoria on the island of Gozo in Malta. This happened on October 14, 1958. He studied philosophy and Roman Catholic theology in Malta.
Becoming a Priest
On May 26, 1984, he became a priest for the Diocese of Gozo. He then continued his studies in Rome. He earned a special degree in theology, focusing on spirituality. His paper was about "The Easter mystery in Christian Life."
Working in the Vatican
After working as a priest in Malta for several years, he moved to Rome in 1991. He started working at the Pontifical Lateran University. In 1995, he joined the Secretariat of State, which is like the Vatican's main office.
In 2000, he began working for the Pope's household. Pope John Paul II gave him a special title, "Honorary Prelate," in 2003.
Serving Two Popes
In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI chose Alfred Xuereb to be his second private secretary. This meant he helped the Pope with his daily tasks and traveled with him. When Pope Francis was elected in 2013, Alfred Xuereb became his first private secretary.
Pope Francis gave him important jobs related to the Vatican's finances. In 2013, he was asked to help with groups looking into the Vatican Bank (called the Institute for the Works of Religion). He also helped with a group organizing the Vatican's money matters. His job was to keep the Pope updated on their progress.
In 2014, Pope Francis made him the first Secretary General of the Secretariat for the Economy. This was a brand new department created to manage the Vatican's money more efficiently.
Alfred Xuereb as a Diplomat
On February 26, 2018, Pope Francis appointed Alfred Xuereb as an "apostolic nuncio." An apostolic nuncio is like the Pope's ambassador to another country. He became the Pope's representative for both South Korea and Mongolia.
Representing the Vatican Abroad
Alfred Xuereb became a bishop on March 19, 2018, in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Pope Francis himself led the ceremony. He chose a special motto for himself: Ut Unum Sint, which means "that all may be one."
He spoke about the meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in 2018. He said that the people in Korea were very excited about these "historic events." He saw the meeting as an important first step on a long and difficult journey towards peace.
On December 8, 2023, Pope Francis appointed him as the new Apostolic Nuncio to Morocco. This means he now represents the Pope in Morocco.
A Simple Life
In July 2013, Pope Francis mentioned something interesting about Alfred Xuereb. He admired that Xuereb often uses a bicycle to get around.
Special Awards
South Korea: He received the Gwanghwa Medal (First Class) of the Order of Diplomatic Service Merit from South Korea.
See Also
In Spanish: Alfred Xuereb para niños
- List of heads of the diplomatic missions of the Holy See
