while nuncio to kenya, cacciavillan also served as permanent observer to the united nations environment programme and the united nations human settlements programme. he was named pro-nuncio to india on 9 may 1981, and the first pro-nuncio to nepal on 30 april 1985. on 13 june 1990, he was named to succeed archbishop pio laghi as pro-nuncio to the united states and permanent observer of the holy see to the organization of american states. he also served as the holy see's representative to the world association of jurists.