The new Secretary of State, Archbishop Pietro Parolin, met this morning with the diplomatic corps accredited in the Holy See. During his address, the Archbishop renewed the desire to cooperate in the search for peace and respect for the dignity of each human being “in an age where in many parts of world various forms of violence and persistence of social inequalities are being faced.”
Archbishop Parolin cited the words of Pope Francis during his first audience with the diplomatic corps on March 22nd: “This is precisely what worries the Holy See: the good of all men on this earth.” The Secretary of State added that “we cannot remain indifferent to the suffering that dramatically affects human beings.”
Emphasizing that “we should show that peace is possible, not an utopia” Archbishop Parolin underlined that “peace is a concrete good that comes from God and that we can help to build thanks to our personal commitment and solidarity.”
“It is necessary to work together in building a true culture of peace, responding courageously to the challenges that threaten an authentic coexistence among people,” he said. The Archbishop went on t say that happiness is one of the most profound aspirations of man.” The diplomatic mission, he stressed, is to help make the world happy through more fraternal relations.
“As Pope Francis has said many times, each human being is created for joy. And this is found as well in the progress towards peace and towards harmony among peoples. It is the joy of the encounter and sharing, of dialogue and reconciliation,” he said.
Regarding humanity, the Secretary of State told the diplomats expressed his hope that humanity may be one true family. “A humanity where dialogue is above war to regulate disputes, a humanity where the strength of the powerful supports the weakness of the smallest, a humanity where the strength of the weak remedies the weakness of the strong.”
Concluding his address, Archbishop Parolin reminded the diplomats of Pope Francis’ words: “I want a Church with its doors open, symbol of light, of friendship, of joy, of freedom and trust.”
“I want a Church less worried of strengthening its borders, and more in creating an encounter and communicating the joy of the Gospel,” he said.
