Archbishop Antonio Mennini, the papal nuncio to Great Britain, is to be transferred to Rome to serve in the Secretariat of State, the department responsible for foreign relations.
Archbishop Mennini, who has been nuncio to Britain for six years, will "serve the Holy Father with particular reference to the State of Italy", Cardinal Vincent Nichols said in a statement.
"In these matters Archbishop Mennini has unique experience and knowledge which is much appreciated by the Holy See," he added.
The 69-year-old Italian previously served as nuncio to Russia from 2002 to 2010. During this period the Holy See and Russia established full diplomatic relations.
