The new Apostolic Nuncio Mgr Aldo Cavalli presented his credentials to President George Abela yesterday. Mgr Cavalli, 67, arrived in Malta three weeks ago and said he would be spending the coming months “understanding” Maltese culture. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

The new Apostolic Nuncio, Mgr Aldo Cavalli, yesterday said he would be spending the coming months “understanding” Maltese culture.

Mgr Cavalli succeeds Mgr Tommaso Caputo who left the post in November when he was ordained Archbishop of Pompeii.

Speaking briefly to journalists following a meeting with President George Abela, Mgr Cavalli, 67, said he arrived in Malta three weeks ago.

“I would need to do this exercise (understand Malta’s culture) in order to be able to effectively communicate the Church’s values and gospel.”

Referring to his 30-minute discussion with the President, Mgr Cavalli said it was very deep and they touched upon a number of historical, religious and cultural topics.

In Malta, Mgr Cavalli represents the Pope and the Holy See both with regard to the Church in Malta and Gozo and the civil authorities.

He is also the dean of the diplomatic corps since in Catholic countries, Apostolic Nuncios rank above ambassadors in diplomatic protocol.

A native of Bergamo, Italy, he joined the diplom-atic service of the Holy See in 1979, when he was appointed Secretary at the Apostolic Nunciature in Burundi.

He then served more than a decade in the Secretariat of State (Vatican City). In 1996 he was appointed Titular Archbishop of Vibo Valentia, Apostolic Delegate to Angola and Apostolic Nuncio to São Tomé e Príncipe, and was consecrated Bishop. In 1997 he was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Angola.

He then served as Apostolic Nuncio to Chile and to Colombia.

On February 16, he was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Malta by Pope Benedict XVI.