Joseph Murphy (born 16 August 1968) has served as under-secretary of the Section for Diplomatic Staff since September 2023.
[4] On 22 March 2018 he was appointed Head of Protocol at the Secretariat of State replacing José Avelino Bettencourt.
As Head of Protocol Murphy addresses the procedures concerning the granting of the agrément for new Ambassadors, their reception when they arrive in Rome, their first protocol visits to the Substitute for General Affairs for the presentation of copies of their credential letters and to the Secretary for Relations with States, the official communication of the solemn Audience for the presentation of credential letters to the Pope and all the formalities relating to diplomatic personnel accredited to the Holy.
It also deals with official requests for audiences with the Pope and the sending of temporary Pontifical Missions and envoys.
In September 2023 he was appointed under-secretary of the Section for Diplomatic Staff.