It was a gamble that appears to have paid off. In 2012 Pope Benedict XVI appointed Archbishop Charles Brown nuncio to Ireland at a time of tense relations between the Vatican and the Irish Government. Ireland’s Embassy to the Holy See had closed although it has since re-opened and relations are warmer. Archbishop Brown had no diplomatic experience when he took up his post but he worked closely with Benedict XVI in the Vatican. In an interview with the Irish Times Archbishop Brown said he continues to feel “very, very close” to the Pope Emeritus and visits him whenever he goes to Rome. He saw him last May and they had a “nice chat”. Since his resignation as Pope in 2013, Benedict XVI has continued to receive visitors. Of course as a papal diplomat the archbish