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Pope speaks to ambassadors
“Diplomacy is, in a certain sense, the art of hope. It lives
from hope and seeks to discern even its most tenuous signs. Diplomacy
must give hope.”
Pope Benedict delivered this message to the members of the diplomatic
corps accredited to the Holy See during his traditional New Year’s
address on January 7, 2008 at the Vatican City. The Holy See maintains
diplomatic relations with 176 nations to whom he gave some of the
most notable signs of hope and concern on the planet at the beginning
of 2008.
Below is a copy of the Holy Father’s message as translated
by Zenit:
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Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
1. I extend cordial greetings to your Dean, Ambassador Giovanni
Galassi, and I thank him for the kind words that he has addressed
to me in the name of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy
See. To each of you I offer respectful greetings, particularly to
those who are present at this meeting for the first time. Through
you, I express my fervent prayers for the peoples and governments
that you represent with such dignity and competence. Your community
suffered a bereavement some weeks ago: the Ambassador of France,
Monsieur Bernard Kessedjian, ended his earthly pilgrimage; may the
Lord welcome him into his peace! My thoughts today go especially
to the nations that have yet to establish diplomatic relations with
the Holy See: they too have a place in the Pope's heart. The Church
is profoundly convinced that humanity is a family, as I wanted to
emphasize in this year's World Day of Peace Message.
2. It was in a family spirit that diplomatic relations were established
last year with the United Arab Emirates. In the same spirit, I was
also able to visit certain countries that I hold dear. The enthusiastic
welcome that I received from the Brazilians continues to warm my
heart! In that country, I had the joy of meeting the representatives
of the great family of the Church in Latin America and the Caribbean,
gathered at Aparecida for the Fifth General Conference of CELAM.
In the economic and social sphere, I was able to note eloquent signs
of hope for that continent, as well as certain reasons for concern.
We all look forward to seeing increasing cooperation among the peoples
of Latin America, and, within each of the countries that make up
that continent, the resolution of internal conflicts, leading to
a consensus on the great values inspired by the Gospel. I wish to
mention Cuba, which is preparing to celebrate the tenth anniversary
of the visit of my venerable Predecessor. Pope John Paul II was
received with affection by the authorities and by the people, and
he encouraged all Cubans to work together for a better future. I
should like to reiterate this message of hope, which has lost none
of its relevance.
3. My thoughts and prayers are directed especially towards the peoples
affected by appalling natural disasters. I am thinking of the hurricanes
and floods which have devastated certain regions of Mexico and Central
America, as well as countries in Africa and Asia, especially Bangladesh,
and parts of Oceania; mention must also be made of the great fires.
The Cardinal Secretary of State, who went to Peru at the end of
August, brought me a first-hand account of the destruction and havoc
caused by the terrible earthquake, but he spoke also of the courage
and faith of the peoples affected. In the face of tragic events
of this kind, a strong joint effort is needed. As I wrote in my
Encyclical on hope, "the true measure of humanity is essentially
determined in relationship to suffering and to the sufferer. This
holds true both for the individual and for society" (Encyclical
Letter Spe Salvi, 38).
4. The international community continues to be deeply concerned
about the Middle East. I am glad that the Annapolis Conference pointed
towards the abandonment of partisan or unilateral solutions, in
favour of a global approach respectful of the rights and legitimate
interests of all the peoples of the region. I appeal once more to
the Israelis and the Palestinians to concentrate their energies
on the implementation of commitments made on that occasion, and
to expedite the process that has happily been restarted. Moreover,
I invite the international community to give strong support to these
two peoples and to understand their respective sufferings and fears.
Who can remain unmoved by the plight of Lebanon, amid its trials
and all the violence that continues to shake that beloved country?
It is my earnest wish that the Lebanese people will be able to decide
freely on their future and I ask the Lord to enlighten them, beginning
with the leaders of public life, so that, putting aside particular
interests, they will be ready to pledge themselves to the path of
dialogue and reconciliation. Only in this way will the country be
able to progress in stability and to become once more an example
of the peaceful coexistence of different communities. In Iraq too,
reconciliation is urgently needed! At present, terrorist attacks,
threats and violence continue, especially against the Christian
community, and the news which arrived yesterday confirms our concern;
it is clear that certain difficult political issues remain unresolved.
In this context, an appropriate constitutional reform will need
to safeguard the rights of minorities. Important humanitarian aid
is necessary for the peoples affected by the war; I am thinking
especially of displaced persons within the country and refugees
who have fled abroad, among whom there are many Christians. I invite
the international community to be generous towards them and towards
their host countries, whose capacities to absorb them have been
sorely tested. I should also like to express my support for continued
and uninterrupted pursuit of the path of diplomacy in order to resolve
the issue of Iran's nuclear programme, by negotiating in good faith,
adopting measures designed to increase transparency and mutual trust,
and always taking account of the authentic needs of peoples and
the common good of the human family.
5. Turning our gaze now towards the whole of Asia, I should like
to draw your attention to some other crisis situations, first of
all to Pakistan, which has suffered from serious violence in recent
months. I hope that all political and social forces will commit
themselves to building a peaceful society, respectful of the rights
of all. In Afghanistan, in addition to violence, there are other
serious social problems, such as the production of drugs; greater
support should be given to efforts for development, and even more
intensive work is required in order to build a serene future. In
Sri Lanka it is no longer possible to postpone further the decisive
efforts needed to remedy the immense sufferings caused by the continuing
conflict. And I ask the Lord to grant that in Myanmar, with the
support of the international community, a season of dialogue between
the Government and the opposition will begin, ensuring true respect
for all human rights and fundamental freedoms.
6. Turning now to Africa, I should like first of all to reiterate
my deep anguish, on observing that hope seems almost vanquished
by the menacing sequence of hunger and death that is unfolding in
Darfur. With all my heart I pray that the joint operation of the
United Nations and the African Union, whose mission has just begun,
will bring aid and comfort to the suffering populations. The peace
process in the Democratic Republic of Congo is encountering strong
resistance in the vicinity of the Great Lakes, especially in the
Eastern regions, while Somalia, particularly Mogadishu, continues
to be afflicted by violence and poverty. I appeal to the parties
in conflict to cease their military operations, to facilitate the
movement of humanitarian aid and to respect civilians. In recent
days Kenya has experienced an abrupt outbreak of violence. I join
the Bishops in their appeal made on 2 January, inviting all the
inhabitants, especially political leaders, to seek a peaceful solution
through dialogue, based on justice and fraternity. The Catholic
Church is not indifferent to the cries of pain that rise up from
these regions. She makes her own the pleas for help made by refugees
and displaced persons, and she pledges herself to foster reconciliation,
justice and peace. This year, Ethiopia is marking the start of the
third Christian millennium, and I am sure that the celebrations
organized for this occasion will also help to recall the immense
social and apostolic work carried out by Christians in Africa.
7. And finally, focussing upon Europe, I rejoice at the progress
that has been made in various countries of the Balkan region, and
I express once again the hope that the definitive status of Kosovo
will take account of the legitimate claims of the parties involved
and will guarantee security and respect for the rights of all the
inhabitants of this land, so that the spectre of violence will be
definitively removed and European stability strengthened. I should
like also to mention Cyprus, recalling with joy the visit of His
Beatitude Archbishop Chrysostomos II last June. It is my earnest
wish that, in the context of the European Union, no effort will
be spared in the search for a solution to a crisis that has already
lasted too long. Last September, I made a visit to Austria, partly
in order to underline the essential contribution that the Catholic
Church is able and willing to give to European unification. On the
subject of Europe, I would like to assure you that I am following
attentively the new phase which began with the signing of the Treaty
of Lisbon. This step gives a boost to the process of building the
"European home", which "will be a good place to live
for everyone only if it is built on a solid cultural and moral foundation
of common values drawn from our history and our traditions"
(Meeting with the Authorities and the Diplomatic Corps, Vienna,
7 September 2007) and if it does not deny its Christian roots.
8. From this rapid overview it appears clearly that the security
and stability of the world are still fragile. The factors of concern
are varied, yet they all bear witness to the fact that human freedom
is not absolute, but is a good that is shared, one for which all
must assume responsibility. It follows that law and order are guarantees
of freedom. Yet law can be an effective force for peace only if
its foundations remain solidly anchored in natural law, given by
the Creator. This is another reason why God can never be excluded
from the horizon of man or of history. God's name is a name of justice,
it represents an urgent appeal for peace.
9. This realization could help, among other things, to give direction
to initiatives for intercultural and inter-religious dialogue. These
ever increasing initiatives can foster cooperation on matters of
mutual interest, such as the dignity of the human person, the search
for the common good, peace-building and development. In this regard,
the Holy See attaches particular importance to its participation
in high-level dialogue on understanding among religions and cultures
and cooperation for peace, within the framework of the 62nd General
Assembly of the United Nations (4-5 October 2007). In order to be
true, this dialogue must be clear, avoiding relativism and syncretism,
while at the same time it must be marked by sincere respect for
others and by a spirit of reconciliation and fraternity. The Catholic
Church is deeply committed to this goal. It is a pleasure for me
to recall once again the letter that was addressed to me, on 13
October last, by 138 Muslim Religious Leaders, and to renew my gratitude
for the noble sentiments which were expressed in it.
10. Our society has rightly enshrined the greatness and dignity
of the human person in various declarations of rights, formulated
in the wake of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which
was adopted exactly sixty years ago. That solemn act, in the words
of Pope Paul VI, was one of the greatest achievements of the United
Nations. In every continent the Catholic Church strives to ensure
that human rights are not only proclaimed but put into practice.
It is to be hoped that agencies created for the defence and promotion
of human rights will devote all their energies to this task and,
in particular, that the Human Rights Council will be able to meet
the expectations generated by its creation.
11. The Holy See for its part never tires of reaffirming these principles
and rights, founded on what is essential and permanent in the human
person. The Church willingly undertakes this service to the true
dignity of human persons, created in the image of God. And on the
basis of these considerations, I cannot but deplore once again the
continual attacks perpetrated on every continent against human life.
I would like to recall, together with many men and women dedicated
to research and science, that the new frontiers reached in bioethics
do not require us to choose between science and morality: rather,
they oblige us to a moral use of science. On the other hand, recalling
the appeal made by Pope John Paul II on the occasion of the Jubilee
Year 2000, I rejoice that on 18 December last the General Assembly
of the United Nations adopted a resolution calling upon States to
institute a moratorium on the use of the death penalty, and I earnestly
hope that this initiative will lead to public debate on the sacred
character of human life. I regret, once again, the disturbing threats
to the integrity of the family, founded on the marriage of a man
and a woman. Political leaders, of whatever kind, should defend
this fundamental institution, the basic cell of society. What more
should be said? Even religious freedom, "an essential requirement
of the dignity of every person [and] a cornerstone of the structure
of human rights" (Message for the 1988 World Day of Peace,
Preamble) is often undermined. There are many places where this
right cannot be fully exercised. The Holy See defends it, demands
that it be universally respected, and views with concern discrimination
against Christians and against the followers of other religions.
12. Peace cannot be a mere word or a vain aspiration. Peace is a
commitment and a manner of life which demands that the legitimate
aspirations of all should be satisfied, such as access to food,
water and energy, to medicine and technology, or indeed the monitoring
of climate change. Only in this way can we build the future of humanity;
only in this way can we facilitate an integral development valid
for today and tomorrow. With a particularly felicitous expression,
Pope Paul VI stressed forty years ago in his Encyclical Letter Populorum
Progressio, that "development is the new name for peace".
Hence, in order to consolidate peace, the positive macroeconomic
results achieved by many developing countries during 2007 must be
supported by effective social policies and by the implementation
of aid commitments by rich countries.
13. Finally, I wish to urge the international community to make
a global commitment on security. A joint effort on the part of States
to implement all the obligations undertaken and to prevent terrorists
from gaining access to weapons of mass destruction would undoubtedly
strengthen the nuclear non-proliferation regime and make it more
effective. I welcome the agreement reached on the dismantling of
North Korea's nuclear weapons programme, and I encourage the adoption
of suitable measures for the reduction of conventional weapons and
for dealing with the humanitarian problems caused by cluster munitions.
Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
14. Diplomacy is, in a certain sense, the art of hope. It lives
from hope and seeks to discern even its most tenuous signs. Diplomacy
must give hope. The celebration of Christmas reminds us each year
that, when God became a little child, Hope came to live in our world,
in the heart of the human family. Today this certainty becomes a
prayer: May God open the hearts of those who govern the family of
peoples to the Hope that never disappoints! With these sentiments,
I offer to each one of you my very best wishes, so that you, your
staff, and the peoples you represent may be enlightened by the Grace
and Peace which come to us from the Child of Bethlehem.
[Translation from the original French distributed by the Holy See]
© Copyright 2008 - Libreria Editrice Vatican
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