Liverpool-born Archbishop Paul Gallagher has been appointed a Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in the civil division by His Majesty King Charles III.

The honour was awarded during King Charles’ and Queen Camila’s landmark visit to the Vatican, which saw the King and Pope Leo XIV making history as they became the first leaders of the Catholic Church and Church of England to pray together side by side.

Archbishop Gallagher, who has served as the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States since 2014, was recognised for his outstanding contributions to international diplomacy and interfaith dialogue. His knighthood marks a significant moment of recognition for his decades of service across continents and cultures.

On hearing the news, Archbishop of Liverpool, Archbishop John Sherrington said: “I am delighted to announce that Archbishop Paul Gallagher has been honoured by the King and been appointed a Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St. George (KCMG).

“Archbishop Sir Paul's appointment will be celebrated in the archdiocese in the future.”

Archbishop Gallagher was born and raised in Liverpool and was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Derek Worlock in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King on 31 July 1977.

His first appointment was as assistant priest in Holy Name parish, Fazakerley, where his duties included being a chaplain to Fazakerley Hospital (now University Hospital Aintree).

He studied at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome, the training ground for Vatican diplomats, graduating in 1984 with a Doctorate in Canon Law.  His first three postings in the diplomatic service took him to three continents: Africa and Tanzania; Uruguay in South America and to Asia and the Philippines. He then returned to Rome before becoming the Representative of the Holy See at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.

He was ordained Titular Archbishop of Hodelm by Cardinal Angelo Sodano on 13 March 2004 in which Archbishop Patrick Kelly was the principal co-consecrator; and was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Burundi.  

In 2009 he was appointed to Guatemala and on 11 December 2012 he was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI to be Apostolic Nuncio to Australia prior to his current assignment.