Pope Appoints Former Tulsa Monsignor As Ambassador To South Africa

The Vatican says Tulsa native Monsignor Peter Wells will be ordained next month to be the new Apostolic Nuncio, or ambassador to South Africa and Botswana. 

Wells was ordained as a priest for the Diocese of Tulsa in 1991 and served at Holy Family Cathedral. In 1996 he was called to Rome. 

He entered the diplomatic service in 1999 and since then has served as assessor at the Secretariat, or chief of staff, to Pope Francis.

Wells said in a statement that he hopes to return to Tulsa shortly after Easter to celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving with his family, priests and Bishop Edward Slattery.

Wells will be ordained on March 19, 2016 in the Basilica of Saint Peter in Rome by Pope Frances. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.