TULSA, Okla. (AP) — A Tulsa native will be ordained as an archbishop by Pope Francis.
The Diocese of Tulsa said Tuesday that Monsignor Peter Wells will be ordained on March 19 in the Basilica of Saint Peter and will be sent to southern Africa to serve as papal nuncio, or ambassador.
Wells was ordained as a priest for the Diocese of Tulsa in 1991 and in 1996 he was called to Rome. He entered the diplomatic service in 1999 and for the past nearly seven years has served as assessor, or chief of staff, to the pope.
Wells said in a statement that he hopes to return to Tulsa shortly after Easter to celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving with his family, priests and Bishop Edward Slattery.