This morning, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father Leo XIV received in audience His Excellency Mr. Iván Velásquez Gómez, ambassador of Colombia to the Holy See, on the occasion of the presentation of his credential letters.

The following is a brief biography of the new ambassador:

His Excellency Mr. Iván Velásquez Gómez
Ambassador of Colombia to the Holy See

This morning, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father Leo XIV received in audience His Excellency Mr. Iván Velásquez Gómez, ambassador of Colombia to the Holy See, on the occasion of the presentation of his credential letters.

The following is a brief biography of the new ambassador:

His Excellency Mr. Iván Velásquez Gómez
Ambassador of Colombia to the Holy See

His Excellency Mr. Iván Velásquez Gómez was born on 12 May 1955 in Medellín, and is married with three children. He graduated in jurisprudence in 1983.

He has held the following offices: prosecutor for the Department of Antioquia, Attorney General's Office, Bogotá (1991–1994); judicial lawyer, Attorney General's Office, Bogotá (1994–1996); deputy lawyer, Council of State, Bogotá (1996–1997); regional director of the Attorney General's Office, Medellín (1997–1999); Magistrate, Administrative Court of Antioquia, Medellín (1999–2000); assistant magistrate, Supreme Court of Justice, Medellín (2000–2012); lawyer and consultant, Bogotá (2012–2013); commissioner, International Commission against Impunity at the United Nations in Guatemala (2013–2019); consultant, Bogotá (2019–2022); director, Justice and Democracy Society, Bogotá (2020–2022); and Minister of Defence (2022–2025)

He has also lectured at various universities in Barranquilla, Cali and Medellín.