21 Facts About Francis Chullikatt

Francis Assisi Chullikatt JCD was born on 20 March 1953 and is an Indian-born prelate of the Catholic Church.

Francis Chullikatt has been the Apostolic Nuncio to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro since 1 October 2022.

Francis Chullikatt was the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations from 17 July 2010 until 1 July 2014.

Francis Chullikatt previously served as Apostolic Nuncio to Iraq and Jordan, and to Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan from 30 April 2016 until 1 October 2022.

Francis Chullikatt was incardinated in the diocese of Verapoly where he was ordained a priest on 3 June 1978.

Francis Chullikatt continued his studies and received a doctorate in canon law.

Francis Chullikatt entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See on 15 July 1988.

Francis Chullikatt served in the papal representations in Honduras, in various countries of southern Africa, in the Philippines, at the United Nations in New York from 2000 to 2004, where he served as a Counsellor at the Holy See's Mission to the United Nations and, finally, in the Secretariat of State in the Vatican.

Francis Chullikatt was appointed as Apostolic Nuncio to Iraq and Jordan and Titular Archbishop of Ostra on 29 April 2006 by Pope Benedict, having served as the counsellor to the nunciature.

Francis Chullikatt took Fidei in Virtute or "By the power of faith" as his episcopal motto.

In February 2010, Chullikatt said that Christians have often been targets, and especially the Christians of Mosul "have paid a high price, despite their unanimously recognized peaceful life".

Francis Chullikatt continued saying "One has the impression that the reason to attack these minorities is strictly and only their religious faith or their different ethnic membership", the nunciature note continues.

Francis Chullikatt was appointed as Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations by Pope Benedict XVI on 17 July 2010, the first non-Italian to hold the post.

Francis Chullikatt was named Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the Organization of American States.

In November 2012 Francis Chullikatt welcomed the General Assembly vote which gave majority approval to Palestine becoming a Non-member Observer State of the United Nations.

In January 2014 Francis Chullikatt spoke before the United States House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations.

On 1 July 2014 Francis Chullikatt resigned from his post at the UN without receiving another assignment.

Francis Chullikatt spent a semester as a fellow at Harvard Divinity School.

Francis Chullikatt was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Kazakhstan and Tajikistan on 30 April 2016.

Francis Chullikatt was made Nuncio to Kyrgyzstan as well on 24 June 2016.

On 1 October 2022, Pope Francis Chullikatt appointed him as Apostolic Nuncio to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro.