Ambassador Sally Axworthy presents credentials to Pope Francis.

Britain’s new ambassador to the Holy See, Sally Axworthy, presented her credentials to Pope Francis at the Vatican on 19 September.

This is the first ambassadorial posting for Axworthy who joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1986 and has extensive experience working on conflict resolution in north and eastern Africa.

A married mother-of-four, Axworthy's diplomatic career has included several positions in London and overseas, most recently serving at the North Africa Department.

She is the third woman to hold the position after Maureen MacGlashan, who served as British ambassador to the Holy See from 1995-1998, and Kathyrn Colvin (2002-2005).

Ambassador Axworthy succeeds her predecessor Nigel Baker who left Rome recently after five years.