At 10.00 today, the Holy Father Francis received in audience H.E. Ms. Caroline Weijers, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Holy See, on the occasion of the presentation of her credential letters.

The following is a brief biography of the new ambassador:

H.E. Ms. Caroline Weijers
Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Holy See

H.E. Ms. Caroline Weijers was born in Amsterdam on 6 September 1959.

She graduated in history from the Catholic University of Nijmegen in 1986.

She has held the following positions: official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1987); embassy clerk in Maputo, Mozambique; attaché of the Permanent Representation to the European Union; officer of the Africa Directorate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; head of the Political Department in Pretoria (2000-2003); deputy head of the Mission in Rabat (2003-2006); ambassador to Cotonou (2006-2009); ambassador to Tunis (2009-2012); head of the Department for Travel Documents, Legalization, and Fight against Fraud at the Directorate for Consular Affairs in the field of politics (2012-2016); project manager for the Conference of Honorary Consuls at the Directorate General of Political Affairs / Diplomatic Commission (since 2017).

She speaks English.