“I’m going to work to deepen mutual understanding between France and the Holy See, by making better known, in my country, the initiatives of His Holiness Pope Francis, and the evolutions at work in the heart of the Church’s government, and — here –, France’s positions,” said France’s Ambassadress to the Holy See, Elisabeth Beton Delegue, in her address given on July 12, 2019, at the reception of the national celebration (July 14), in the Villa Bonaparte’s park in Rome, indicated France’s Embassy to the Holy See.
“France is engaged more than ever in Europe’s Renaissance, for which the Holy Father has pleaded, just as she is engaged in the defense of multilateralism,” assured the French representative.
Several eminent members of the Roman Curia were present at this reception: the Vatican Secretary for Relations with States, Monsignor Richard Paul Gallagher and his Assistant, Monsignor Antoine Camilleri; the Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, Cardinal Franc Rode; Monsignor Paolo Borgia, Assessor for General Affairs of the State Secretariat; the Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication, Paolo Ruffini; the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Alessandro Gisotti, and the Commandant of the Vatican Gendarmerie, Domenico Giani.
During her address, Elisabeth Beton Delegue recalled the close ties that link France to the Holy See. “Pope Francis’ engagement in global issues, in particular, the climatic urgency and ecological transition, is a fundamental lever to make things move, by the training effect it induces. We hope to multiply the occasions to work together,” she also said.
“A new presidency of the Conference of Bishops of France and the French Bishops’ visit ad Limina in 2020, will also be the occasion to apprehend better the dynamics of the work in the heart of France’s Church, and to weave bonds with French and French-speaking communities in Rome, religious as well as lay,” she added.
The first woman appointed to the post, Elisabeth Beton Delegue “also has at heart to develop relations” with her sisters, “religious as well as lay.” “I have the certainty, not the conviction, the certainty, supported by the experience of areas where I served, that it is women who bring change and want to render a better world.”
