At 10.00 this morning, the Holy Father Francis received in audience H.E. Mr. António José Emauz de Almeida Lima, ambassador of Portugal to the Holy See, for the presentation of his credential letters.

The following is a brief biography of the new ambassador:

H.E. Mr. António José Emauz de Almeida Lima
Ambassador of Portugal to the Holy See

Born in Lisbon on 5 November 1956, Mr. António José Emauz de Almeida Lima is married with three daughters.

He graduated in law from the Portuguese Catholic University, Lisbon.

He has held the following offices: officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1984-1988); second Embassy Secretary in London (1989-1992); Embassy Counsellor at DELNATO / WEU, Brussels (1993); Embassy Counsellor in Maputo (1994-June 1998); Director of Services for North America at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (July 1998-January 2001); Head of Cabinet of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and of the Portuguese Communities (October 2003-August 2004); Deputy Director General of Bilateral Relations (September 2004-2005); Consul General in Rio de Janeiro (2006-2011); Executive Member of the AICEP Board of Directors (January-May 2012).

Since June 2012 he is the Head of State Protocol, with the rank of Ambassador.