VATICAN CITY -- Pope John Paul II appointed a new Vatican ambassador to Scandinavia Thursday, the Vatican said.
The pope named Belgium-born Archbishop Henri Lemaitre apostolic pro nuncio to Finland, Iceland, Denmark Sweden and Norway.
Advertisement
Lemaitre, 64, served for seven years as Vatican envoy to Vietnam and Cambodia and for another six as ambassador to Uganda.
He also held the post of president of the Catholic organization 'Aid to the Church in Need,' which is known for its work in East bloc countries.
Denmark, Norway and Sweden established diplomatic relations with the Vatican in 1982 after a four-century break in ties caused by the Protestant Reformation.
