Pope Francis encourages new ambassadors to be peacemakers

Pope Francis encouraged the newly appointed ambassadors to the Vatican to be peacemakers.

The Pope urged them “to show greater vigilance and respond to the call to be peacemakers in our time,” if there is hope for peace and the poor a brighter future, particularly in the chronic conflict areas of the world. 

He said that the new ambassadors began their new diplomatic roles at a time of heightened political sensitivity to the increase in violations of international law and to what he had called a third world war being fought piecemeal.

On December 15, at Clementine Hall, Pope Francis addressed the ambassadors of Belize, Bahamas, Thailand, Norway, Mongolia, Niger, Uganda, and Sudan, who presented their credential letters to Pope Francis.

The Pope acknowledged, “as you take up your new responsibilities, I wish first to acknowledge the variety of ways in which your nations contribute to the common good not only of their citizens but of our entire human family.”

Without the concerted action of the whole family of nations, and diplomacy, “it is not possible to protect the dignity and human rights of all, to promote justice, reconciliation and dialogue for the sake of enduring peace, and to care for our common home as a precious gift for us and for future generations,” the Pope highlighted.

Pope Francis noted their unique contributions to historical, intellectual, technological, artistic, and cultural treasures.

“Your resourcefulness and talents are also gifts that can be placed at the service of the wider world, in both bilateral and multilateral contexts, for the betterment of humanity,” he invited.

Concerning the marginalized persons of society, the Pope urged the ambassadors to shine a light into the darkest corners of the world, bring those on the peripheries to the centre, and lend a voice to the voiceless and those who have been silenced.

Pope Francis asked them to seek fresh and creative ways of promoting solidarity and social friendship, especially with the most vulnerable of our brothers and sisters both in Rome and everywhere.

He said, “In this regard, I assure you of the cooperation and support of the Secretariat of State and the Dicasteries and Offices of the Roman Curia.” – With inputs from Vatican News