He previously worked in the diplomatic service of the Holy See, holding the position of nuncio in several eastern European countries between 2001 and 2020 and in Great Britain from 2020 to 2022.

In 1985, he joined the Roman Curia, working at the Congregation for the Eastern Churches; he became its undersecretary on 17 December 1997.

He has also taught patristics and Armenian language and literature at the Pontifical Oriental Institute.

On 7 December 2001, Pope John Paul II appointed him Apostolic Nuncio to Georgia and to Armenia, as well as Titular Archbishop of Ravello.

[7] On 9 July 2023, Pope Francis announced he plans to make him a cardinal at a consistory scheduled for 30 September.