This morning, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father received in audience His Excellency Mr. Juan Raúl Ferreira Sienra, Ambassador of Uruguay to the Holy See, on the occasion of the presentation of his credential letters.

The following is a brief biography of the new ambassador:

His Excellency Mr. Juan Raúl Ferreira Sienra
Ambassador of Uruguay to the Holy See

His Excellency Mr. Juan Raúl Ferreira Sienra was born in Montevideo on 16 January 1953, and is married with two children.

He was awarded a degree and a Master at George Washington University, Washington D.C., a diploma in economics from the Institute of Economics in Montevideo (1993), and a doctorate at Lasalle University (1998).

He has served as a lecturer both in Uruguay and in the United States, and has also published several books.

He has held the following offices: Consejode Asuntos Hemisféricos (COHA), Washington D.C. (1976); Oficina de Washington para America Latina (WOLA), Washington D.C. (1976-1980), Senator of the Republic (1985-1990), Deputy (1990-1995), Ambassador in Argentina (1995-1999), Vice President (for Uruguay) of the Salto Grande Hydroelectric Power Plant (2000–2002), Director of the State Insurance Bank (2002–2005), member of the Council of the Institution of Human Rights and Ombudsman and National Prevention Mechanism (INDDHH) (2012 – 2017), President of the INDDGG (2016), and member of the Executive Board of the Latin American Association for Human Rights (ALDHU) (1980–2025).