Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto presents at "Share the Dream" 2011

The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI has appointed 70-year-old Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto as apostolic delegate to Jerusalem and Palestine and nuncio to Israel.

His Excellency has been nuncio to Australia since 2007 (December) and will leave in mid-September for the Holy Land.

Archbishop Lazzarotto, told Vatican Radio on Saturday that he will do his best “in the cause of dialogue and peace” and said that there are “many men and women of good will who live in the Holy Land”.

A well-loved nuncio known for his personal warmth, Archbishop Lazzarotto will be sadly missed by the bishops and people of Australia.

Archbishop Lazzarotto served as nuncio to Jordan and Iraq from 1994 – 2000. He has also served in Ireland, and during his early career in Cuba.