VATICAN - The Pope addresses new ambassadors of Azerbaijan, Guinea, Malta, New Zealand, Rwanda, Switzerland and Zimbabwe: “the first challenge is solidarity between generations, solidarity between nations and between continents for an ever more equal sharing of the planet’s resources among all men and women”

Friday, 17 June 2005

Vatican City (Fides Service) - Pope Benedict on June 16 received the Letters of Credence of seven new ambassadors to the Holy See, including the first ever representative from the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Pope presented each ambassador with a written message with references to the specific civil and religious situation in his country and then gave his welcome address in French.
“Through you I wish to greet fraternally the peoples you represent, to formulate my most cordial and fervent good wishes and assure the men and women of your respective countries that I am close to them and pray for them” the Pope said to the representatives of Azerbaijan, Guinea, Malta, New Zealand, Rwanda, Switzerland and Zimbabwe, encouraging the people of those nations “to work to build a humanity of brotherhood with more attention for each and all, particularly the poor and those excluded from society.”
“In this sense - the Holy Father said - our world faces numerous difficulties which it must overcome so that the person may always prevail over technology and the proper development of peoples may be the primordial concern of those who accept to lead public affairs, not for themselves, but in view of the common good. Our heart can never be at peace as long as well see brothers and sisters who suffer because of lack of food, work, shelter and other fundamental necessities.”
The Pope said that in order to answer the call of so many brothers and sisters the first challenge is “solidarity between generations, solidarity between nations and between continents for an ever more equal sharing of the planet’s resources among all men and women. This is one of the fundamental services which people of goodwill must render humanity. In fact the earth can feed its inhabitants on the condition that rich countries do not keep for themselves that which belongs to all.”
The Pope concluded his address saying that “the Church will never cease reminding all men and women to give special attention to brotherhood with concrete gestures at the individual level and that of governments and international institutions”. And he assured those present that “the Church will continue to reach out to help people on every continent with the support of her local communities and all men and women of goodwill, particularly in the areas of education, healthcare and fundamental needs”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 17/6/2005, righe 28, parole 416)


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