This morning, at the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican, the Holy Father Leo XIV received in audience His Excellency Mr. Raphael Perpetuo Mercado Lotilla, Ambassador of the Philippines to the Holy See, on the occasion of the presentation of his Credential Letters.

The essential biographical information of the new Ambassador is provided below:

His Excellency Mr. Raphael Perpetuo Mercado Lotilla
Ambassador of the Philippines to the Holy See

He was born in Sibalom, Antique.

He earned degrees in Psychology and History, as well as a Bachelor of Laws from the University of the Philippines Diliman. He also obtained a Master of Laws from the University of Michigan Law School (1988).

He has held the following positions: Vice President for Public Affairs, University of the Philippines Institute of International Studies (1991–1992); Director, University of the Philippines Institute of International Studies (1989–1996); Professor of Law at the University of the Philippines (1985–1996), while also serving as Adviser to four Presidents of the Senate; Deputy Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) (1996–2004); President and Chief Executive Officer of the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM) (2004–2005); Secretary of Energy (2005–2007); Regional Programme Director of the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA), concurrently serving as Executive Director of PEMSEA (2007–2008); Executive Director of PEMSEA (2008–2012); Independent Director of various diversified conglomerates, including companies in the energy and financial services sectors (2012–2021); Secretary of Energy (2022–2025); and Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources (2025–2026).