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Pope Benedict XVI- Addresses |
Pope's
Address to the New Ambassadors Accredited to the Holy See
"BUILD A SOCIETY WHERE IT IS GOOD TO LIVE"
H.H. Benedict XVI
June 1, 2007
zenit
Consistory Hall
Your Excellencies,
I am pleased to receive you today at the Vatican for the
presentation of the Letters that accredit you as Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary Ambassadors of your respective countries: Pakistan,
Iceland, Estonia, Burundi and Sudan.
You have conveyed to me the kind words of your respective Heads of
State. I thank you for this, and I should be grateful if you would
convey to them my respectful greetings and my cordial good wishes
for their person and the lofty mission that they carry out at the
service of their people.
Permit me also, through you, to address a warm greeting to all the
civil and religious Authorities of your respective countries, as
well as your countrymen.
My thoughts and prayers also go to the Catholic communities present
in your countries. You know the spirit of fraternal collaboration in
which they work with all their brethren in humanity, ready to
witness to the Gospel that invites living the commandment of love
for one's neighbour.
Coming from different continents, your presence here today gives our
contemporaries the image of the world that, from North to South,
from East to West, is concerned to establish ever stronger
relationships in order to build a society where it is good to live.
In reality, in today's world, it is more important than ever to
strengthen the bonds that unite countries, taking particular care of
the poorest nations.
In fact, it is not possible to use the riches of the poorest
countries with impunity, without their being able to take part in
world growth. It is the duty of the authorities of all countries to
work together for a better distribution of the riches and resources
of the planet.
A collaboration of this sort will effect solidarity, peace and
fraternal life in the heart of each country and between countries.
I earnestly appeal to all nations, in particular the richest, to
renew their commitment so that all people become aware of their
responsibility in this regard and agree to transform their lifestyle
in view of an ever more equitable sharing.
Also permit me to emphasize the role that religions can have in this
field. In fact, they have the duty to form their members in a spirit
of fraternity among all the inhabitants of the same country, with
respectful attention to all people.
May no one be the object of discrimination or be excluded from
society for his or her convictions and religious practice, which are
fundamental elements of the person's freedom.
May societies do credit to themselves by protecting these basic
rights through the attention they manifest for the dignity of each
human being.
Indeed, no true religious initiative can be the cause of division or
violence between people and among human communities. On the
contrary, the awareness that each person is a brother to protect and
promote is fundamental.
At the moment when you are beginning your mission to the Holy See, I
offer you, Ladies and Gentlemen Ambassadors, my best wishes for the
success of your service.
I ask the Almighty to assist you, your relatives, your collaborators
and all your citizens, and to shower his abundant benefits upon each
of you.
© Copyright 2007 -- Libreria Editrice Vaticana
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