Alfred Xuereb facts for kids
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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| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
| Religious style | Archbishop |
Alfred Xuereb was born in Malta on October 14, 1958. He is an important leader in the Catholic Church. He works as a diplomat for the Holy See, which is the central government of the Catholic Church, located in the Vatican City. Before this, he was a private secretary for two Popes: Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis.
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Early Life and Education
Alfred Xuereb was born in a town called Victoria, on the Maltese island of Gozo. This happened on October 14, 1958. He studied important subjects like philosophy and Roman Catholic theology in Malta.
On May 26, 1984, he became a priest for the Diocese of Gozo. Later, he continued his studies at the Pontifical Theological Faculty Teresianum in Rome. There, he earned a special degree called a doctorate in theology. His studies focused on spirituality, and his main project was about "The Easter mystery in Christian Life."
Working for the Church
After his studies, Alfred Xuereb worked as a priest in Malta for several years. In September 1991, he moved to Rome. He joined the staff at the Pontifical Lateran University.
Then, in September 1995, he started working for the Secretariat of State. This is a very important department in the Vatican. In November 2000, he joined the Prefecture of the Papal Household. This office helps organize the Pope's daily activities.
In 2003, Pope John Paul II gave him a special title: Honorary Prelate. This is an honor given to priests who have served the Church well.
Working with the Popes
In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI chose Alfred Xuereb to be his second private secretary. This means he helped the Pope with his daily tasks and travels. He traveled with the Pope on many trips.
When Pope Benedict XVI retired in 2013, Pope Francis was elected. Alfred Xuereb then became the first private secretary for Pope Francis.
In November 2013, Pope Francis gave him new responsibilities. He was asked to help with two special groups. One group was looking into the Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR), which is often called the Vatican Bank. The other group was looking at how the Vatican's money and administration were organized. His job was to keep the Pope updated on their progress.
In March 2014, Pope Francis gave him another important role. He became the first Secretary General of the Secretariat for the Economy. This was a brand new department created to help manage the Vatican's finances better.
Diplomatic Missions
On February 26, 2018, Pope Francis appointed Alfred Xuereb as an apostolic nuncio. An apostolic nuncio is like an ambassador for the Pope. He was sent to represent the Pope in both South Korea and Mongolia. At the same time, he was named a Titular Archbishop of Amantea. This means he holds the title of an archbishop, but for a historical diocese that no longer exists.
On March 19, 2018, he was consecrated as a bishop by Pope Francis himself in St. Peter's Basilica. For his motto as a bishop, he chose Ut Unum Sint. This Latin phrase means "that all may be one."
In 2018, there was an important meeting between the leaders of the United States and North Korea. Alfred Xuereb said that the people in Korea and the local Church were very excited about these "historic events." He described the meeting as a significant step at the start of a long and challenging journey.
On December 8, 2023, Pope Francis appointed him to a new diplomatic role. He became the new Apostolic Nuncio to Morocco.
Personal Life
In July 2013, Pope Francis mentioned something interesting about Alfred Xuereb. He admired that Xuereb often uses a bicycle to get around.
Awards and Recognition
- South Korea: He received the Gwanghwa Medal (First Class) of the Order of Diplomatic Service Merit. This is a high honor given by the South Korean government.
See also
In Spanish: Alfred Xuereb para niños
- List of heads of the diplomatic missions of the Holy See
