ADDRESS OF PAUL VI
TO THE NEW AMBASSADOR
OF THE REPUBLIC OF MALAWI TO THE HOLY SEE*

Monday, 5 July 1971

Mr Ambassador,

We wish first of all to thank you for the courteous words you have spoken in presenting to Us the Letters of Credence by which you are accredited as your Republic’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Holy See.

We know the great efforts which Malawi is devoting to its economic development and social progress. We are confident that each member of the Catholic Church in your land will play his full part in these endeavours, thus giving testimony to the high ideals which his religion puts before him. As you have said, the Church has made a very willing contribution to the struggle in Malawi against ignorance, disease and poverty. True to the teaching and example of her divine founder, who cited the proclamation of the Good News to the poor as a sign of his mission (Cfr. Luc. 7, 22), she desires to liberate people from all that would constrict and stifle the fulfilment of their God-given potentialities.

Upon these efforts of your country We invoke the powerful assistance of God, that the noblest aspirations of its citizens may be brought to full flowering.

Through Your Excellency, We would like to send Our cordial greetings to His Excellency the President, to the Government and to the beloved people of Malawi. We wish yourself a happy and fruitful mission to the Holy See. For you and for the noble nation you represent We pray that the Almighty may grant his richest and choicest blessings.

* AAS 63 (1971), p.567-568;

Insegnamenti di Paolo VI, vol. IX, p.606;

L’Attività della Santa Sede 1971, p.274;

OR 5-6.7.1971 p.1;

ORa n.28 p.2