Francis names new Vatican spokesman

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis named a new Vatican spokesman Thursday, tapping Matteo Bruni, the British-born official who has handled media logistics for papal trips, in the latest shake-up of the Vatican’s communications operations.

Bruni takes over from Alessandro Gisotti, who became interim spokesman after the Dec. 31 departure of Greg Burke.

Gisotti had always said his term would be temporary given the demanding nature of the job and his obligations to his young family. The Vatican said Thursday that he will now join the communications ministry as a deputy editorial director.

Bruni’s appointment marks the latest change in the Holy See’s communications operations under Francis. Previous changes have included the creation of an overall ministry with institutional editorial oversight, the slimming down of the Vatican Radio operation, and new leadership of the spokesman’s office, the Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano and its women’s magazine.

Bruni, 42, joined the Vatican press office in 2009, coordinating accreditations. In 2013, he took over organizing the logistics for media during papal trips, negotiating access with host countries ahead of time and shepherding journalists from venue to venue during the trips themselves. Born in Winchester, England, he was educated in Italy and speaks English and Italian fluently, as well as Spanish and French.