At 10.00 this morning, the Holy Father Francis received in audience H.E. Mr. Antonio Raymond Andary, ambassador of Lebanon to the Holy See, on the occasion of the presentation of his credential letters.

The following is a brief biography of the new ambassador:

H.E. Mr. Antonio Raymond Andary
Ambassador of Lebanon

Mr. Antonio Raymond Andary was born in Knaywer on 9 April 1954, and is married with three children.

After attending primary and secondary school with the Carmelite Fathers in Tripoli, North Lebanon, he graduated in political science (University of Texas, Edinburg Campus, 1981) and subsequently obtained a master’s degree in international relations (American University, Washington, 1985).

He has held the following positions: embassy official in Washington DC, member of the Executive Committee of the Maronite League, director of the Maronite League, director for Foreign Relations at the Maronite Foundation in the World; ambassador to Argentina (since 2013).

He has held numerous lectures in cultural, university and social institutions on Lebanon, its culture, its political system, and the Christians of the East.

Languages known: Arabic, French, English and Spanish.