New Vatican Spokesman

The Holy Father has accepted the resignation of Dr. Joaquín Navarro-Valls as Director of the Holy See's Press Office and thanked him for his long and generous service.

The Holy Father has named as the new Director, Father Federico Lombardi, S.J., 63. Father Lombardi will also remain Director General of Vatican Radio and the Vatican Television Center.

Father Lombardi is from the Piedmont region of Italy. He entered the Jesuits in 1960 and studied in Torino and Frankfurt before being ordained in 1972. He served as staff writer, editor and vice director for "Civiltà Cattolica." He served as Provincial for the Province of Italy from 1984 to 1990. He was named Program Director of Vatican Radio in 1991. He was named Director General of the Vatican Television Center in 2001 and Director General of Vatican Radio in 2005.