VATICAN - Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, addresses Italian President: “Even those who do not share the Christian faith regard the Pope as the Spokesman for highest moral instances and heed his calls for respect for human dignity, promotion of peace and development and sincere collaboration among peoples, religions and cultures”

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - At the end of the meeting with the Pope, in the Sala Regia of the Apostolic Palace, the President of Italy Mr Giorgio Napolitano met on Monday 20 November, the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See. Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican Secretary of State in his address said, “the fact that Rome is also the see of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See underlines the international profile of the capital and is certainly an enrichment for the city and the nation”.
Presenting the Diplomatic Corps, Cardinal Bertone mentioned “the relations which the Holy See has with many nations all over the world and with various international bodies” and its commitment “at the service of the spiritual mission of the Pope who by divine mandate is the common Father not only of believers but of all men and women since they are God’s creatures. Not by chance, even those who do not share the Christian faith regard the Pope as the Spokesman for highest moral instances and heed his calls for respect for human dignity, promotion of peace and development and sincere collaboration among peoples, religions and cultures for a better future for the human family.”
Cardinal Bertone then mentioned Mr Napolitano’s efforts to promote understanding and cooperation among peoples and cultures, the process of the unification of the continent of Europe, to promote peace in the world and dialogue and constructive comparison of different ideal, cultural and religious positions, in order to promote the good of humanity. Cardinal Bertone concluded “It is in the sharing of these common ideals that all of us here present, in the diversity of our functions, ’ wish you success in your lofty task and hope to continue and intensify understanding and collaboration which exists not only between Italy and the Holy See but with all the nations worthily represented her today by their excellencies the Ambassadors, indeed with every nation on earth.” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 21/11/2006 - Righe 25, parole 358)