Pope Francis

A Venezuelan archbishop, who served as Pope Francis’ ambassador to Mozambique was named on Wednesday as the Vatican’s new substitute of the Secretariat of State.

The head of the Secretariat of State is considered the Vatican’s unofficial prime minister, and the substitute can be compared to a chief of staff position.

Monsignor Parra, 58, will start his new job on Oct. 15, the Vatican said in a statement.

He has been a Vatican diplomat for 25 years. His previous diplomatic posts include Pakistan, Kenya, South Africa, Mexico and UN offices in Geneva, the statement added.

Parra replaces Italian Giovanni Becciu, who resigned as substitute in June, when he was made a cardinal and promoted to head the Vatican’s department on causes for sainthood.

(dpa/NAN)