Pope receives new ambassador of Peru, Indian Cardinal Alencherry

September 23, 2013 - Pope Francis on Monday received in the Vatican Peru’s new ambassador to the Holy See, Juan Carlos Gamarra. The 58-year old diplomat and father of two has held several posts in Peru’s foreign ministry also served in embassies in the US, Spain, Romania, Belgium and lastly Switzerland. After the formal ceremony during which Carlos Gamarra presented his credentials, Pope Francis separately received Indian Cardinal George Alencherry, who as Major Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly is the head of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church.