Pope appoints new ambassador to Nigeria

Vatican News

Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty has been appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria. 

As the former nuncio to the neighboring countries of Niger and Burkina Faso, the Irish church diplomat has extensive experience in the region.

Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and has its second-largest Catholic population, after the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Violence against Christians in the country has been on the rise for several years, especially in the north. Priests and religious are often kidnapped and held for ransom.