Hana Shaleta had led a small Chaldean Catholic Church community in San Diego since 2017. Local media reported that he pleaded not guilty on Monday to 16 counts of embezzlement and money laundering during a court hearing following his arrest.

According to San Diego Deputy District Attorney Joel Madero, the alleged offenses took place in 2024 and were reported by a church employee who noticed missing funds. The case was later investigated by local authorities, according to reporting by KGTV, an ABC affiliate in San Diego.

Authorities arrested Hana Shaleta on March 5 at San Diego International Airport while he was attempting to leave the United States, according to a statement from the county sheriff’s office.

The bishop’s lawyer told the court during Monday’s hearing that Hana Shaleta had been planning to travel to Germany and that the trip had been scheduled in advance.

Chaldean Catholics recognise the authority of the pope but follow an Eastern Christian liturgical tradition distinct from the Latin rite practiced in most Catholic churches. Vatican statistics indicate there are about 71,000 Chaldean Catholics living in the San Diego area.

Caccia, 68, previously served as the Vatican’s representative to the United Nations beginning in 2020 and earlier held a diplomatic posting in the Philippines, where he represented the Holy See during the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte, whose controversial anti-drug campaign drew international criticism.The appointment places Caccia in one of the Vatican’s most influential diplomatic roles, overseeing relations with the United States, a key global political and economic power and home to one of the largest Catholic populations in the world.Experienced diplomat moves to key postCaccia has spent decades in the Vatican’s diplomatic service, representing the Holy See in several countries and international forums. His tenure as the Vatican’s ambassador to the United Nations placed him at the center of global discussions on humanitarian crises, conflict resolution and multilateral cooperation.Before that role, Caccia served for two years as the Vatican’s envoy in Manila, a period that overlapped with Duterte’s controversial “war on drugs.” The campaign, which Philippine authorities said targeted criminal networks, led to thousands of deaths and was widely criticized by human rights groups and international observers.During that time, the Vatican maintained diplomatic engagement with the Philippine government while continuing to emphasize the Church’s longstanding advocacy for the protection of human life and human dignity.

Caccia’s appointment comes at a moment when relations between the Vatican and Washington have been shaped by disagreements over international policy issues.The Vatican has recently criticized U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran, reflecting the Holy See’s broader calls for de-escalation and dialogue in the Middle East. Vatican officials have frequently urged diplomatic solutions to conflicts and warned against actions that could intensify regional instability.Pope Leo has also voiced concern about several policy positions associated with the Trump administration, although the Holy See typically frames such comments in broader moral and humanitarian terms rather than direct political criticism.

As apostolic nuncio, Caccia will serve as the Vatican’s chief diplomatic representative to the United States and as a liaison between the Holy See and the American Catholic Church. The role typically involves managing diplomatic relations with the U.S. government while also playing a part in communication between the Vatican and U.S. bishops.The position has long been considered strategically important within the Vatican’s global diplomatic network, given the United States’ influence in international affairs and its role in shaping debates on security, economic policy and humanitarian initiatives.Caccia’s experience in multilateral diplomacy and his previous postings are expected to shape his approach as the Vatican navigates complex geopolitical developments and ongoing policy differences with Washington.