He succeeds Archbishop Fernando Filoni, who was appointed as Substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat State, the third most important position at the Vatican.

Born in Philadelphia, USA on August 24, 1944, Adams was ordained priest in May 1970. He has a Doctorate in Canon Law.

In 1976, Adams, 63, entered into the Diplomatic Service of the Holy See and served successively in the following countries: Rwanda, Secretariate of State— Vatican City, Kenya, Honduras, Ireland, Denmark and Czech Republic.

The Holy Father in 1996 appointed him as the Apostolic Nuncio in Bangladesh and elevated to the dignity of Archbishop with the titular see of Scala. He has been the Papal nuncio in Zimbabwe since August 22, 2002.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), meanwhile, has immediately welcomed Adam’s appointment.

“As we would welcome the Holy Father anytime so we welcome his ambassador or representative in our midst to unite us with the Holy Father who is the successor of Peter and the Vicar of Christ,” CBCP President Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said in a statement.

Lagdameo said the new apostolic nuncio will be the 15th in the line of Apostolic Delegates and Apostolic Nuncios to the Philippines.

An apostolic nuncio or papal legate is considered the representative or ambassador of the Holy See to the bishops of the Episcopal Conference and particular churches.

His principal task, according to church law, is to make firm and effective the bonds of unity between the Pope and the heads of States and the bishops. (CBCP News)