Vatican City, Jul 11, 2016 / 01:28 am
Greg Burke, the former American journalist and communications adviser for the Vatican, has been named the new director of the Holy See press office, it was announced Monday. The new vice-director will be Spaniard Paloma García Ovejero, the first woman ever to be appointed to the position.
Burke received the appointment from Pope Francis after the current director, Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J., submitted his resignation to the pontiff, the Holy See press office said in a July 11 press release.
"The purpose of my work is very clear: to serve the Pope," Burke told journalists after the July 11 announcement was made. Francis had said he had "prayed on this appointment," Burke recounted of his meeting with the pontiff.
Although the appointment was not unexpected, the Missouri native later told CNA it was "an honor to have been given this trust of the Pope." Burke went on to express his gratitude to Fr. Lombardi -- who served as director for ten years -- and lauded him for his "dedication, generosity, kindness, and patience."