Pope Francis welcomes new Ambassador of Lebanon

By Robin Gomes

Pope Francis on Friday welcomed Lebanon’s new ambassador to the Holy See, Antonio Raymond Andary.  At a formal ceremony in the Vatican, the 63-year old diplomat presented his credentials to the Pope at the start of his mission.

A father of three, Mr. Andary was born at Knaywer on 9 April 1954.  After attending primary and secondary school with the Carmelite Fathers of Tripoli in northern Lebanon, he graduated in political science (University of Texas–Pan American, Edinburg, US, 1981).  He then obtained a Master’s degree in international relations (American University, Washington D.C., US, 1985). 

Mr. Andary has held numerous conferences at cultural, university and social institutions on Lebanon, its culture and political system, and Christians of the East.

He knows Arabic, French, English and Spanish

Mr. Andary has held the following posts prior to his current appointment:

-          Official at the Lebanese Embassy in Washington DC

-          Member of the Executive Committee of the Maronite League

-          Director of the Maronite League

-          Director for foreign relations at the Maronite Foundation in the World

-          Lebanon's Ambassador to Argentina (since 2013)