Apostolic Nuncio for ASEAN

(June 18.06.2011) Pope Benedict XVI nominated on Saturday Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli as Apostolic Nuncio to A.S.E.A.N., the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the , by the Founding Fathers of ASEAN, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, joined later by Brunei, Viet Nam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia to form the 10 member states. Archbishop Girelli has been, to date, Apostolic Nuncio to Singapore and East Timor, Apostolic Delegate for Malaysia and Brunei, as also non-resident Pontifical Representative for Vietnam.