Former Private Secretary to Prime Minister Tony Blair, British Ambassador to the Vatican and now the new Vice Chancellor of St Mary’s University, Twickenham, Dr Francis Campbell paid a most welcome return visit to Aquinas on the morning of Wednesday 7 May.

Francis was in Belfast to deliver the prestigious Le Cheile Lecture in St Mary’s University College the previous evening and spent the following morning with Aquinas staff and Sixth Formers, discussing a wide range of topics including his experience as UK Ambassador to the Holy See from 2005 – 2011 and as deputy High Commissioner to Pakistan based in Karachi, an experience that had its fair degree of hair – raising moments!

Dr Campbell also spoke about his new role in St Mary’s University and his vision for the future of this famous institution and the opportunities that it could provide for Aquinas students in the future.

The three hours Francis spent with us flew in but he promised to return to Aquinas, a school that he holds in the highest regard.