Haiti: Sean Penn named Ambassador At Large

Haiti President Martelly (l) and actor Sean Penn.

Actor Sean Penn has been named ambassador at large for Haiti in recognition of his humanitarian work since the 2010 earthquake.

The Hollywood star received the honor from Haitiian President Michel Martelly at a special ceremony Tuesday evening at the National Palace.

Martelly thanked Penn for keeping the spotlight on the Caribbean nation.

The president joked that the “only downside” to Penn’s new position is that he can no longer call the actor by his first name. Now Penn will be called “Ambassador.”

Penn’s J/P Haitian Relief Organization was set up a few months after the January 12, 2010, earthquake to oversee a settlement camp where thousands of people displaced by the disaster lived.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.