Delighted and honoured to present my letter of appointment to His Holiness Pope Francis this morning. A memorable encounter with a truly global leader, and a special day for 🇬🇧 🇻🇦 relations. CC
@UKinHolySee
As she left South Sudan I thanked HRH for her visit. To support all women who have been victims of the conflict here. And for her message of hope - for women that they have an important role to play in building peace in 🇸🇸 and for girls that they deserve to achieve their goals.
@VBillingFCO
Congratulations! Now please try Thiebou Kéthiakh and Soupou Kandja. Some of my Senegalese favourites were not often served, especially to a British Ambassador! Le Sénégal me manque!
This afternoon I left Juba at the end of my posting to South Sudan. Thanks for all the amazing memories - I will never forget! And time for one last video crossing the Nile:
80 years ago today Pope Pius XII thanked the 38 Irish Brigade for liberating the Vatican. Follow us as we commemorate this event. But first check out this amazing film from Pathe.
@FCDOGovUK
@irishbrigadeww
I am deeply saddened to hear of the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. I will always remember his visit to the United Kingdom with great affection. His pontificate was historic and his legacy will endure.
Sudanese Ambassador Idris summoned
@foreignoffice
yesterday to raise concerns abt deteriorating situation in
#Sudan
. Implementation of State of Emergency & orders destroy freedom of expression & facilitate further use of excessive force. We made clear this is unacceptable.
Very pleased to welcome HRH The Countess of Wessex to South Sudan today, to support Women’s participation and efforts to prevent and address gender based violence. Like everyone else her first meeting was with a thermometer!
#SSOT
This morning, after more then two years of planning and building,
@UKinHolySee
moved into new offices. Much closer to our hosts in the Vatican. I look forward to a proper opening ceremony in due course.
Moving story of two Sudanese / British Drs who have given their lives in the battle against
#COVID19
. Your adopted country thanks you from the bottom of its heart. And your country of origin can feel proud of your service to your community.
#NHSheroes
It has been a great honour for me to serve as Her Majesty’s Ambassador in various locations over the last 15 years. I am deeply grateful for the heartfelt message from Pope Francis.
Pope Francis sends his condolences to King Charles III and the people of the United Kingdom for the death of Queen Elizabeth II, and praises her “life of unstinting service to the good of the Nation and the Commonwealth”.
Today I will be walking to the seven Papal Basilicas - approximately 25km. Starting here at St Peter’s. Please wish me luck; and follow me during the day!
Full turn out of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to 🇻🇦 for a mass/prayer for peace in 🇺🇦. In St Peter's Basilica, to be led by Cardinal Parolin, Secretary of State.
#WeStandWithUkraine
We are deeply moved and grateful to Pope Francis for this extraordinary gift. Reflecting the strength of the 🇻🇦 🇬🇧 relationship that developed over the course of the reign of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth, who met 5 Popes!
@UKinHolySee
Some if you may be tired of my photos of cows. But I am sure the pastoralists out there are not. So I want to ask you to vote in answer to this question: which is the most handsome cow? Vote in the following tweet.
Today we celebrated the life of my wonderful father. I couldn’t have wished for a better role model. Thank you for everything! RIP, with all our love, John Francis Henry Trott. 1938-2023.
Honoured to have been appointed as the next UK Ambassador to
#SouthSudan
. I look forward to working more closely with South Sudanese and partners in support of peace. Change of Her Majesty's Ambassador to South Sudan: May 2019 -
A real pleasure seeing Omer Eldigair in Juba as part of the FFC delegation. We had often met when I was Envoy, and he was under siege! I reconfirmed our support for the change in Sudan! And for the peace process.
My trip to the cattle camp this morning was so incredible I am going to share a few more photos. But first I want you to meet Madol, Madul and Majok.
#SSOT
@UKinSouthSudan
I was honoured to have been invited to present my credentials to HE The President this afternoon. The final step in becoming Her Majesty’s Ambassador to 🇸🇸 South Sudan.
Great honour to join
@GillianKeegan
at the Vatican this morning for the funeral of Pope Benedict XVI. Representing the Government and people of the United Kingdom. Cc
@FCDOGovUK
@JamesCleverly
We were deeply grateful to
@Pontifex
for giving the band the chance to play for him. As their predecessors did 80 years ago for Pius XII.
@FCDOGovUK
@DefenceHQ
This morning, the Band of the
@RIrishRegiment
played 'Killaloe' for Pope Francis at the end of the General Audience. Watch this truly remarkable moment
An honour to fly the Ukrainian flag today, alongside my colleagues across the world. The 🇬🇧 stands with the people of 🇺🇦 in the face e of Russia's unprovoked attack on freedom and democracy. We
#StandWithUkriane
Harking back to my former job as Envoy it was a pleasure to see SRF leaders in Juba today. We discussed the role of the Peace Commission and the importance of diversity in government.
Pleased to welcome HE Cardinal Parolin to the UK this evening. Along with counterpart the Nuncio. I wish 🇻🇦 delegation a productive conference in Glasgow!
#COP26
Very pleased to announce the appointment of my successor
@JonnyBaxterFCDO
who will arrive in January. It has been a real privilege working with 🇸🇸 over the last 4.5 years. I will be sorry to leave in December.
#SSOT
Interesting discussion with Malik Agar,
@Yassir_Arman
and Ismail Jallab from SPLM-N (Agar) this afternoon. It is disappointing they were forced to leave Khartoum. Important that the voices of all Sudanese are heard at this time.
@FCOIrfan
@RobertF40396660
28 years ago today I joined
@foreignoffice
fresh out of
@SOAS
! It has been a huge privilege serving my country and promoting our values across the world. And even more so to be working to support peace in South Sudan and Sudan.
Wandering through a market in Juba today look what I found! My favourite Ghanaian condiment -
#Shito
! I couldn’t resist.
@JonBenjamin19
would you have done?
Very pleased to accompany
@MayorofLondon
to the Vatican this morning for an important discussion about climate change. And to introduce him to Sister Helen, who is also from South London!
Congratulations to people of South Sudan who now have transitional government they have called for. We recognise this would have not been possible without compromises & commitment. UK stands ready to support SS achieve long lasting peace for its people.
#SSOT
@UKinSouthSudan
Dear 🇸🇸 ese friends. The weather seems appropriate for Martyrs’ Day. As we remember those who have died as a result of conflict here, including since Independence, I urge the parties to recommit to the implementation of the peace agreement. There should be NO MORE WAR!
#SSOT
Very interesting discussions with
@RailaOdinga
and
@AbabuNamwamba
in Nairobi today. Good to hear their thoughts on
#SouthSudan
peace process. We all want to see sustainable peace.
Tomorrow I am planning to do the traditional Holy Week walk. Visiting the 7 of the most important churches in Rome.
Il giro delle sette chiese.
Follow me
#7chiese
.
On her return from Malakal HRH The Countess of Wessex presented medals to some of the UK troops serving in
#UNMISS
. As our deployment draws down she expressed all our thanks to them for their efforts in support of peace.
@RoyalFamily
Very pleased to see the swearing in of South Sudan’s transitional government. Many congratulations on the parties for getting this far. We look forward to working in the implementation of the rest of the R-ARCSS.
@UKinSouthSudan
Delighted to call on Archbishop Gallagher, Secretary for the Relations with States, at the Vatican 🇻🇦 this morning. I look forward to working closely together! CC
@UKinHolySee
A few more photos from
#BorntoLead
#IWD2020
event yesterday. I know HRH The Countess of Wessex was inspired by the women she met! Thank you
@oxfamsouthsudan
for your collaboration.
Very good news from New York: UN Security Council has renewed its commitment to peace in 🇸🇸. 12 countries recognising progress, at same time expressing their unequivocal support for Arms Embargo.
#SilencetheGuns
#SSOT
Thank you
@UKUN_NewYork
colleagues & fellow council memebers.
News of my appointment has generated considerable interest on here. Thanks to all those who have chosen to follow me. Including
@inesanma
who is my 12000th follower! I hope I will live up to expectations. I hope
#SSOT
will continue to take an interest.
Fantastic to visit Molobur Cattle Camp with
@FAOSouthSudan
- to see provision of emergency animal health services to vulnerable livestock dependent households.
Proud
#UKAid
is helping provide this. 🐄 🇬🇧
#SSOT
Good to meet Governor Sarah Riel before she sets off to Wau. Discussed the importance of women’s inclusion at every level of government. And her priorities in her new role. We wish her well!
#SSOT
Took advantage of being in Addis to meet Dr Riek Machar. Urged him to ensure the next 100 days are not wasted. The international community is eager to see the peace agreement move to the next phase.
Stunning views of Kampala as we flew in today. Plus best in flight announcement in a long time: you are free to move around the cabin but please do not try to leave the aircraft. Thanks
@KenyaAirways
This evening the diplomatic community accredited to the Holy See showed its solidarity with Ukraine @ St Maria in Trastevere at a service for peace. An occasion to show
#WeStandWithUkraine
Wonderful ecumenical service at the Basilica of S Bartolomeo this morning. Anglican communion celebrated by
@JustinWelby
. With bishops from across the world - both Catholic and Anglican.
UK Secretary of State for DFID
@PennyMordaunt
reaffirms our commitment to safeguarding rights of the most vulnerable, particularly in conflict. And to support women’s participation in the peace process.
Around 908,000 people have been affected by devastating flooding in
#SouthSudan
.
@DFID_UK
has provided a helicopter to
@WFP_SouthSudan
to help save vulnerable communities stranded by the floods and give vital shelter kits to people in need.
@ctrlamb
We are thrilled that Cardinal Parolin will represent Pope Francis at the Coronation. The last Cardinal doing so would probably have been Reginald Pole. In 1553.
I am taking a few days off to realise a long standing dream .... of visiting the Holy Land! My tweets will be touristy, I am afraid. But I hope you enjoy the pictures.
Great honour to meet the Papal Nuncio (my counterpart) yesterday at his Residence in London. I look forward to working with you, your excellency, over the coming years!
A year ago I presented my credentials to Pope Francis. Since when we have helped organise an event on Climate, celebrated 40 years of Ambassadorial relations and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Thanks to
@UKinHolySee
for all their support!
As I head home to
#Juba
today I thought I would share a few pictures from the UK. I took advantage of the break to reconnect with my West Country heritage. Visited
@bathabbey
and
@WellsCathedral1
. Both as stunning as I remember them.
On the feast of St Peter I want to share a few photos of places connected to him. His home in Capernaum, the Primacy at Mensa Christi, the location of his denials and finally the Basilica at the site of his martyrdom.
🇬🇧 is proud to support the South Sudan Humanitarian Fund, today providing PPE to protect frontline health workers across the country. I was pleased to join colleagues at the airport for a handover ceremony. 70 tonnes of PPE to our partners
@MoHsouthsudan