Bishop Mario Grech has been appointed as the General Secretary of the Synod of Bishops, replacing Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri.

The cardinal’s resignation was accepted yesterday, with Grech taking over the role with immediate effect.

Grech was Gozo Bishop for 15 years before he was succeeded by Anton Teuma this month.

Grech’s move from Gozo to the Vatican had been announced last year, when Pope Francis had appointed him as Pro-Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops.

Since then, Grech worked side by side with Cardinal Baldisseri to gain the necessary experience before he took over the role completely.

In July, Pope Francis also appointed Grech on the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity.