VATICAN - Pope Benedict XVI addresses the Diplomatic Corps: “God can never be excluded from the horizon of man or of history. God’s name is a name of justice, it represents an urgent appeal for peace”

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The traditional audience with members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See for the presentation of new year wishes, held in the Apostolic Palace on 7 January, offered the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI an opportunity to reflect on the lights and shadows of the situation in the world today. After greeting the Ambassadors and through them the peoples and governments they represent, the Pope said his thoughts went "especially to the nations that have yet to establish diplomatic relations with the Holy See: they too have a place in the Pope’s heart. The Church is profoundly convinced that humanity is a family as I wanted to emphasise in this year’s World Day of Peace Message."
Looking back at the past twelve months Pope Benedict XVI recalled "The enthusiastic welcome received from the Brazilians” on the occasion of his visit to Aparecida for the fifth CELAM general conference, as well as “eloquent signs of hope for that continent, as well as certain reasons for concern”, and he said he hoped for greater cooperation among the peoples of Latin America and within each of those countries, so that internal tensions may be overcome “and a consensus on the great values inspired by the Gospel” may be reached. The Pope made special mention of Cuba, which is preparing to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the visit to the Island by Pope John Paul II who “encouraged all Cubans to work together for a better future”. “This message of hope, - said Benedetto XVI -, has lost none of its relevance”. The Pope said his thoughts and prayers are directed to peoples affected by appalling natural disasters: in Mexico e in Central America Central, in various countries of Africa and Asia, especially Bangladesh, and in parts of Oceania. “In the face of tragic events of this kind, a strong joint effort is needed.” the Pope said.
Among issues of concern at the international level the Holy Father mentioned first of all the Middle East, calling once again on Israelis and Palestinians to concentrate their energies on the implementation of commitments made on the occasion of the Annapolis Conference, “and to expedite the process that has happily been restarted”. He urged the international community “to give strong support to these two peoples and to understand their respective sufferings and fears”. Lebanon continues to be shaken by trials and violence: the Pope ask the Lord to enlighten all Lebanese so that, “putting aside particular interests, they will be ready to pledge themselves to the path of dialogue and reconciliation”. “In Iraq too, reconciliation is urgently needed!” the Holy Father continued, stressing the important need to resolve political issues. “In this context, an appropriate constitutional reform will need to safeguard the rights of minorities”. Benedict XVI launched an appeal to guarantee humanitarian aid to peoples affected by war, especially “displaced persons within the country and refugees who have fled abroad, among whom there are many Christians”. He expressed his support “for continued and uninterrupted pursuit of the path of diplomacy in order to resolve the issue of Iran’s nuclear programme, by negotiating in good faith, adopting measures designed to increase transparency and mutual trust, and always taking account of the authentic needs of peoples and the common good of the human family”. Among other situations of crisis in Asia the Holy Father mentioned Pakistan, and said he hoped “all political and social forces will commit themselves to building a peaceful society, respectful of the rights of all”; Afghanistan, to which “greater support should be given to efforts for development, and even more intensive work is required in order to build a serene future”; Sri Lanka, where it is no longer possible to “postpone further the decisive efforts needed to remedy the immense sufferings caused by the continuing conflict”; Myanmar, praying that “with the support of the international community, a season of dialogue between the Government and the opposition will begin, ensuring true respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms.”.
Turing to Africa the Holy Father, renewed his “deep anguish” for Darfur, and he said he hoped the joint operation on the part of the United Nations and the African Union, “will bring aid and comfort to the suffering populations”. Other concerning situations mentioned by the Pope: strong resistance against the peace process in Democratic Republic of Congo; Somalia, in particular Mogadishu, which “continues to be afflicted by violence and poverty”; Kenya, which “in recent days has experienced an abrupt outbreak of violence”. “The Catholic Church is not indifferent to the cries of pain that rise up from these regions- the Pope said -. She makes her own the pleas for help made by refugees and displaced persons, and she pledges herself to foster reconciliation, justice and peace”. Lastly Ethiopia “marking the start of the third Christian millennium, and I am sure that the celebrations organised for this occasion will also help to recall the immense social and apostolic work carried out by Christians in Africa”.
With regard to the situation in Europe the Pope mentioned progress made in various countries in the Balkan region. He also mentioned Cyprus, “recalling with joy the visit of His Beatitude Archbishop Chrysostomos II last June”, and Austria, which he visited in September, “partly in order to underline the essential contribution that the Catholic Church is able and willing to give to European unification.”. The Pope said he was following carefully the stage opened with the signing of the Treaty of Lisbon in the process of building the "European home", stressing the need for “solid cultural and moral foundation of common values drawn from our history and our traditions and if it does not deny its Christian roots."
Pope Benedict XVI spoke of factors of concern for world security and stability “human freedom is not absolute, but is a good that is shared, one for which all must assume responsibility. It follows that law and order are guarantees of freedom. Yet law can be an effective force for peace only if its foundations remain solidly anchored in natural law, given by the Creator. This is another reason why God can never be excluded from the horizon of man or of history. God’s name is a name of justice, it represents an urgent appeal for peace”.
Ever more frequent initiatives of intercultural and interreligious dialogue must be directed to fostering “cooperation on matters of mutual interest, such as the dignity of the human person, the search for the common good, peace-building and development.”. The Catholic Church is deeply committed to this dialogue which “must be clear, avoiding relativism and syncretism, while at the same time it must be marked by sincere respect for others and by a spirit of reconciliation and fraternity”. In this regard the Holy Father cited a Letter he received from 138 Muslim religious leaders and he renewed his gratitude “for the noble sentiments which were expressed in it”.
Mentioning the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Pope Benedict XVI said “In every continent the Catholic Church strives to ensure that human rights are not only proclaimed but put into practice… The Holy See for its part never tires of reaffirming these principles and rights, founded on what is essential and permanent in the human person. The Church willingly undertakes this service to the true dignity of human persons, created in the image of God”. On the basis of these remarks the Pope deplored “continual attacks perpetrated on every continent against human life” and called for “a moral use of science”. “I rejoice that on 18 December last the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted a resolution calling upon States to institute a moratorium on the use of the death penalty, and I earnestly hope that this initiative will lead to public debate on the sacred character of human life. I regret, once again, the disturbing threats to the integrity of the family, founded on the marriage of a man and a woman. Political leaders, of whatever kind, should defend this fundamental institution, the basic cell of society.” The Pope made one last point on the issue of the right to religious freedom: “There are many places where this right cannot be fully exercised. The Holy See defends it, demands that it be universally respected, and views with concern discrimination against Christians and against the followers of other religions.”
In the last part of his discourse the Pope said “Peace is a commitment and a manner of life which demands that the legitimate aspirations of all should be satisfied, such as access to food, water and energy, to medicine and technology, or indeed the monitoring of climate change. Only in this way can we build the future of humanity; only in this way can we facilitate an integral development valid for today and tomorrow”. He urged the international community “to make a global commitment on security”, implementing all the obligations undertaken. “Diplomacy is, in a certain sense, the art of hope - Benedict XVI concluded-. It lives from hope and seeks to discern even its most tenuous signs. Diplomacy must give hope. The celebration of Christmas reminds us each year that, when God became a little child, Hope came to live in our world, in the heart of the human family”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 8/1/2008; righe 104, parole 1522)