Mgr Aldo Cavalli has been named the new Apostolic Nuncio for Malta.

His forthcoming appointment was announced during a news conference this morning by Archbishop Paul Cremona and bishop Charles Scicluna.

Mgr Scicluna thanked the Pope "for this gift".

He said he met Mgr Cavalli in Colombia. He described him as "a very good person with great experience and a great love for the church".

Mgr Cavalli, who is expected in Malta in April, is currently the Apostolic Nuncio of Colombia and the titular archbishop of Vibo Velentia.

Born in 1946, Mgr Cavalli, who is a graduate in political science, succeeds Mgr Tommaso Caputo who vacated the post in November after he was ordained Archbishop of Pompei.

In Malta, he will represent the Holy Father and the Holy See both with regard to the Church in Malta and Gozo nand the civil authorities.

He will also be the dean of the diplomatic corps and his duty will be to strengthen the bonds of communion which united the Apostolic See and the local churches.

It will be his duty to keep the Holy See constantly informed about the life of the dioceses and to assist the bishops in their pastoral role. He would also promote and facilitate the relation between the people, the government and the Holy See.

Until his appointment, the nunciature is being filled ad interim by charge d'affairsMgr FIlippo Colnago