杏MAP导航 to new Ambassadors: Be champions of dialogue and hope for peace

杏MAP导航

Speaking to five Ambassadors newly-accredited to the Holy See, 杏MAP导航 Francis highlights their crucial role in promoting peace, saying they are beacons of dialogue and hope in a world torn apart by war.

By Lisa Zengarini

杏MAP导航 Francis accepted the Credential Letters presented by five new Ambassadors to the Holy See. The nations they represent include Iceland, Bangladesh, Syria, The Gambia and Kazakhstan.

Welcoming the diplomats in the Vatican on Saturday, the 杏MAP导航 upheld the positive role of Ambassadors as 鈥渂ridge builders 鈥� and reiterated the Holy See鈥檚 ongoing commitment to peace in a world marred by war and divisions.

Wars, migrations , poverty and climate change

Introducing his address, 杏MAP导航 Francis turned his thoughts in particular to the 鈥渂eloved Syrian people鈥� recovering from the recent devastating earthquake that hit the country and neighbouring Turkey in February in the midst of the ongoing suffering caused by armed conflict.

He further mentioned other nations currently facing violent conflicts and unrest, such as Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, Lebanon, Haiti, as well as Ukraine, and also recalled the migration and climate crises, as well as poverty still afflicting so many peoples around the world, which, he said, confirm the 鈥済rowing imbalance in the global economic system鈥�.

One human family

Referring to this dramatic scenario causing so much suffering, 杏MAP导航 Francis asked a series of poignant questions highlighting that peoples and nations are 鈥渙ne human family鈥� that can only truly thrive when all of its members are respected and cared for.

鈥淲hen will we learn from history that the ways of violence, oppression and unbridled ambition to conquer land do not benefit the common good? When will we learn that investing in the wellbeing of people is always better than spending resources on the development of deadly weapons? When will we learn that social, economic and security issues are all interrelated? When will we learn that we are one human family which can only truly thrive when all of its members are respected, cared for and able to make their own unique contributions?鈥�

鈥淯ntil we come to this realization鈥�, he remarked, 鈥漺e will continue to experience what I have been calling a third world war being fought piecemeal鈥�.

On the other hand, 杏MAP导航 Francis also aknowledged positive developlements, such as the 鈥渆xtraordinary technological and scientific achievements and the steps already taken to address social issues and further develop international law鈥�.

However, he warned that these 鈥渓audable鈥� achievements should not make us become 鈥渃omplacent or indifferent concerning the current situation of the world鈥� or 鈥渇ail to guarantee that all of our brothers and sisters benefit from these achievements and developments鈥�.

Ambassadors are bridge builders

At the same time, 杏MAP导航 Francis invited to remain 鈥渙ptimistic and determined that the human family is capable of successfully facing the challenges of our day鈥�.

He recalled the positive role that ambassadors have always played throughout history. 鈥淎s a man or woman of dialogue, a bridge builder鈥�, the 杏MAP导航 said 鈥渁n ambassador can serve as a figure of hope鈥�: hope 鈥渢hat the last word in avoiding conflict or resolving one peacefully is never said, and 鈥渢hat peace is not an unrealistic dream鈥�.

Their task is certainly an easy one as 鈥渢he voice of reason and calls for peace often fall on deaf ears鈥�. However, said the 杏MAP导航鈥渢he current situation of the world only further highlights the need for Ambassadors and their colleagues to be champions of dialogue, champions of hope鈥�.

鈥淭he Holy See values the important role that you play, as evidenced by its own diplomatic involvement on the bilateral and multilateral levels.鈥�

Recalling the Holy See鈥檚 ongoing commitment 鈥渢o protect the inviolable dignity of each person, promote the common good and foster human fraternity among all peoples鈥�, through 鈥渢he exercise of a positive neutrality鈥�, 杏MAP导航 Francis concluded by reaffirming the Vatican diplomacy鈥檚 willingness to engage with the Ambassadors 鈥渋n open and honest dialogue鈥� as they work 鈥渇or the betterment of the human family鈥�.