Australian Embassy
Holy See

About us

About the Australian Embassy to the Holy See

Head of Mission

Chiara Porro

Chiara Porro is a career diplomat who joined Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in 2009.  She has held a range of positions in Canberra, including most recently as Director, Ministerial and Executive Liaison Section, Executive Branch. She was seconded as an Adviser to the International Division of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (2016-17), and has worked in DFAT’s Budget Branch (2015-16) and Africa Branch (2014).

Overseas, Ms Porro has served as Deputy Consul-General in Noumea, New Caledonia (2018-2020), on a short term mission to West Africa (2016), and as Second Secretary in New Delhi, India (2011-2014).

Ms Porro holds a Master of International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of Leiden, the Netherlands and a Bachelor of Arts in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from the University of York, United Kingdom. She speaks Italian and French.

Ms Porro assumed her position on 27 July 2020 and is expected to present credentials to His Holiness Pope Francis on 27 August 2020.

Ms Porro is married and has two children.

Contact information

Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 349
00186 Rome
Italy

Tel: +39 06 686261
Fax: +39 06 68626111
Email: [email protected]

Important Information

The Australian Embassy to the Holy See does not provide consular or visa services.

Consular information

If you require assistance for consular matters please consult the website of the Australian Embassy to Italy or make your inquiries by email:

Assistance to Australians, renewal or first issue of Australian passports/notarial services: [email protected]

Visas and Citizenship

The Embassy is unable to provide responses regarding visa, citizenship or customs enquiries. You will need visit the Department of Home Affairs’ website at www.homeaffairs.gov.au or call the Home Affairs’ Global Service Centre number on +61 2 6196 0196, open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm (local Italian time).

Opening hours

The Embassy is open from 9:00am to 5:00pm Mondays to Fridays except for public holidays.

Public holidays

The Embassy will be closed on:

2023

Monday 25 December - Christmas Day
Tuesday 26 December - Boxing Day
Wednesday 27 December
Thursday 28 December 
Friday 29 December

2024

Monday 1 January - New Year's Day
Wednesday 13 March - Holy See National Day
Friday 29 March - Good Friday
Monday 1 April - Easter Monday
Wednesday 1 May - Italian Labour Day
Thursday 15 August - Feast of the Assumption (local holiday)
Monday 7 October  – Australian Labour Day
Friday 1 November - All Saints Day (local holiday)
Tuesday 24 December - Christmas Eve
Wednesday 25 December - Christmas Day
Thursday 26 December - Boxing Day
Friday 27 December
Monday 30 December 
Tuesday 31 December - New Year's Eve

Australia launches 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper

On 23 November 2017 Australian Prime Minister The Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP launched the 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper. It is the Australian Government’s first comprehensive Foreign Policy White Paper in 14 years. The 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper is essential to our future security and prosperity and it affirms an outward-looking Australia that is fully engaged with the world. Find out more #FPWhitePaper 

Australia elected to the UN Human Rights Council 2018-2020


 

The Honourable Julie Bishop MP, Minister for Foreign Affairs, released a statement on 17 October 2017 to announce Australia's election by a majority of United Nations member states to serve on the Human Rights Council, the world’s peak body for promoting and protecting human rights.

Australia took its seat on 1 January 2018 for a three-year term and is ready to work closely with other countries and civil society to protect and advance human rights around the world. It is in Australia's national interest to shape the work of the Council and uphold the international rules-based order.  Respecting fundamental human rights and freedoms, and building them into the fabric of a society, makes Australia and the world safer and more secure.
Find out more #Oz4HumanRights