Messages of the Holy Father
Image Source: Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development
- Lent 2024
- Tenth World Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking (February 8, 2024)
- 32nd World Day of the Sick (February 11, 2024)
Archbishop Caccia Delivers Statement During the 62nd Commission for Social Development
On 12 February 2024, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, delivered a statement during the 62nd Session of the Commission for Social Development. The priority theme of the Commission this year is “fostering social development and social justice through social policies to accelerate progress on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to achieve the overarching goal of poverty eradication.”
In the statement, Archbishop Caccia highlighted that when working to promote social development and social justice, the international community has an obligation to those who are poor and in vulnerable situations. He primarily advocated for policies to alleviate the root causes of poverty, such as strong social protection systems, access to education for all children and adults, and access to decent work with fair remuneration.
Additionally, noting that this year is the thirtieth anniversary of the International Year of the Family, Archbishop Caccia underscored the centrality of the family to social justice and social development; he affirmed the need for social policies that support the family.
Archbishop Caccia Participates in Fifth Annual Human Fraternity Day Commemoration
In commemoration of the 2024 International Day of Human Fraternity, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia participated as a speaker in a virtual event organized by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations. Participants included Member States, religious leaders, faith actors, and civil society representatives. The Permanent Missions of the United Arab Emirates and Egypt to the United Nations co-sponsored the event.
On December 21, 2020, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/75/200 designating February 4, 2021 as the first annual International Day of Human Fraternity. The resolution acknowledged initiatives and efforts by religious leaders to promote interreligious and intercultural dialogue. In particular, it notes the meeting between Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmad al-Tayyib, on February 4, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, which resulted in the signing of the document entitled “Human fraternity for world peace and living together.”
The virtual event provided an opportunity for participants to highlight the principles and values included in the Document of Human Fraternity and to renew a joint commitment to promoting mutual respect, religious and cultural diversity and advancing dialogue.
In his remarks, Archbishop Caccia highlighted the challenging global conditions characterized by poverty, inequality, conflicts, and environmental crises. However, he emphasized the importance of recognizing the concurrent opportunities for positive change. Caccia proposed a shift in perspective, urging people to see the current era as a time of hope.
Reflecting on the fifth anniversary of the "Document on Human Fraternity," Archbishop Caccia emphasized that the Document was conceived “with profound hope in a bright future for all human beings.” He quoted Pope Francis, stating, "The future has a name, and its name is hope."
Archbishop Caccia called on world leaders to heed the call of the Document on Human Fraternity and to “become a sign of hope for the world.”
The full event can be viewed at this link: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1q/k1qbej55nq.
Holy See Mission Side Event Fosters Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence
Photo by Augustine Preziosi
On 21 February, 2024, the Holy See Mission, in partnership with NetOne and New Humanity, hosted a side event entitled: Artificial Intelligence: a Pathway to Global Peace and Integral Human Development at the United Nations.
Inspired by Pope Francis’ Message on the 57th World Day of Peace, the event fostered a comprehensive dialogue on critical issues, with a view to direct techno-scientific research towards the pursuit of peace and the common good, in the service of the integral development of individuals and communities.
Participating in the moderated discussion were Father Philip Larrey, Professor of Philosophy at Boston College, and Ms. Laura Gherlone, a researcher in semiotics of the National Scientific and Technical Research Council in Argentina.
In recent years, digital progress and artificial intelligence have given rise to complex ethical implications. Pope Francis, expressing both encouragement and serious concern, has emphasized that artificial intelligence should be conceived, designed, developed, deployed, and used ethically to promote human dignity and the common good. The side event included a discussion of urgent questions at the interplay between technical, ethical, political, legal, and economic considerations of new digital technologies.
Panelists explored topics ranging from philosophical questions of the meaning of “consciousness,” to the ways in which AI can also amplify biases and discrimination.
Four Upcoming Holy See Side Events during the 68th Commission on the Status of Women
Life at the Mission
A Visit from Archbishop Auza and
Farewell to Francesco Laureti
(Above) This month, Archbishop Bernardito Auza, the former Permanent Observer of the Holy See, visited the Mission and met with staff and interns. Archbishop Auza offered some reflections on how the Holy See Mission has expanded its engagement at the UN, in large part thanks to the internship program, which was formalized under his leadership.
(Below) Earlier this month, the Mission bid farewell to intern Mr. Francesco Laureti, who accepted a position with the Italian diplomatic service. Congratulations!
Happy Birthday!
This month, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia and Monsignor Robert Murphy celebrated their birthdays. Ad multos annos!
Fall 2024 Internship Applications are Open
Since 2015, the Holy See Mission has had 162 interns from 37 countries.
The internship program provides the opportunity for bright, Catholic, English-speaking college graduates or graduate students to gain experience assisting the Holy See in its multilateral work at the UN, seeking to bring the light of Catholic Social Teaching to the debates of the international community.
Our interns are integral to the work of the Holy See at the United Nations. They attend various UN meetings, conferences, and debates, and then prepare reports that, once reviewed, are sent to the Holy See’s central offices in the Vatican. Our interns also assist with the Mission’s conferences, receptions, and cultural events.
There are three internship cycles each year: Fall, Spring, and Summer, and eight internship positions are available per cycle. The Mission is currently accepting applications for the Fall 2024 session, which will run from September through December 2024.
Save the Date:
Path to Peace Gala on May 23, 2024
