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ADDRESS OF JOHN PAUL II
TO THE NEW AMBASSADORS
ACCREDITED TO THE HOLY SEE*

Friday, 12 December 2003

 

Your Excellencies,

1. I am pleased to welcome you at the time when you are presenting the Letters accrediting you as Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of your respective countries: Denmark, Singapore, Qatar and Estonia. I thank you for the courteous words you have conveyed to me from your Heads of State, and I would be grateful if you would reciprocate by conveying to them my respectful good wishes as well as for their important mission at the service of their peoples. Through you, I greet the civil and religious Authorities of your Countries and all your compatriots. Please pass on to them my cordial and fervent good wishes.

2. The end of the civil year is a favourable period in which to analyze the world situation and the events that we are witnessing. Like all diplomats, you are eager to create links between individuals and countries, thereby encouraging peace, friendship and solidarity between peoples. You do so on behalf of your Governments that are involved in the globalization of brotherhood and solidarity, convinced that what unites human beings is more important than what divides them. The future for peoples and the hope for the world depend on respect for the fundamental human values.

3. For lasting development as well as for international stability and even for the credibility of national and international Government bodies, it is right that all who are involved in public life, especially in the context of politics and economics, should have an ever keener moral sense in the management of public affairs. Their essential goal should be the common good, which adds up to more than the total good of individuals. I therefore appeal to all people of good will, called to serve their Country, to endeavour always to put their talents at the disposal of their fellow citizens and more generally, of the international community!

4. In this period when people will be exchanging wishes of peace and happiness throughout the world, these are the wishes that I express to you straight away, for your Governments and for all the inhabitants of your Countries, as well as for all humanity. At the moment when you are beginning your noble mission to the Holy See, I offer you my very best wishes and invoke an abundance of divine Blessings upon you, upon your families, upon your collaborators and upon the Nations you represent.


*L'Osservatore Romano. Weekly Edition in English n. 1, 07.01.2004 p. 8.

© Copyright 2003 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana

 



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