Nuncio Named for Iran

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 10, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI appointed Archbishop Jean-Paul Gobel as the new apostolic nuncio to Iran.

Archbishop Gobel, 64, will leave his current position as the apostolic nuncio in Nicaragua to assume the new post, the Vatican press office announced today.

Jean-Paul Gobel was born in Thonon, France, and ordained a priest in 1969.

He entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See in 1974, and served as apostolic nuncio in Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Senegal and Cape Verde before being appointed to Nicaragua in 2001.

He replaces Archbishop Angelo Mottola, who was named apostolic nuncio to Montenegro in January.

ZE07101004 - 2007-10-10