Pope Benedict XVI has appointed an Irishman as Archbishop of Pretoria in South Africa.
He is Bishop William Slattery, a member of the Franciscan Order and a native of Portlaoise, Co Laois.
The 67-year-old moves from the diocese of Kokstad.
He has been a bishop since 1994.
He will also minister to Catholics in South Africa's armed forces.
SIC: RTE/IE