KUWAIT CITY, Jan 9: Pope Francis has appointed Archbishop Eugene Nugent apostolic nuncio to Kuwait and Qatar, reports Union of Catholic Asian News (UCANews). Eugene Nugent is an Irish prelate of the Catholic Church who was appointed the Apostolic Nuncio to Kuwait and Qatar this month.

He has worked in the diplomatic service of the Holy See since 1992 and spent ten of those years in Hong Kong. Archbishop Nugent also spoke about looking forward to his new post on the other side of the globe in Kuwait and Qatar.

Speaking about his role as the Apostolic Nuncio there, he admitted to knowing very little about the Middle East, but said he is looking forward to learning and serving there. He added that his appointment is a “sign of the Holy Father’s confidence in me, but also the importance that he has placed on dialogue with the world of Islam.” Archbishop Nugent expressed his hopes that his previous assignments will help him carry out his new mission as papal nuncio to Kuwait and Qatar.