Currents News Staff
Pope Francis has chosen a new personal secretary, Father Fabio Salerno, who works in the Vatican Secretariat of State’s Section for Relations With States. Fr. Salerno will replace Monsignor Yoannis Lahzi Gaid.
Born in Catanzaro, Italy, in April, 1979, and ordained to the priesthood in 2011, Fr. Salerno has served as secretary of the apostolic nunciature in Indonesia and at the Holy See’s Permanent Mission to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.
Fr. Salerno will replace Monsignor Yoannis Lahzi Gaid, who has been one of the pope’s personal secretaries since April, 2014, and who will continue his work as a member of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity. Fr. Salerno will work with Uruguayan priest, Gonzalo Aemilius, whom the pontiff named as his personal secretary in January, 2020.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni explained that this latest appointment is “a normal turnover of roles,” in accordance with the Holy Father’s view that the role of secretary should be temporary.