December 20, 2019

By H. E. Archbishop Bernardito AuzaApostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations

Year in Review

Thank you for your interest in the work of the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the UN in New York as we strive to uphold the dignity of every human being and advance peace and justice before the international community. Since there are no meetings at the United Nations after Christmas, we are using our “Week in Review” email to do a “Year in Review” and highlight the work of the Mission over the course of 2019.

Archbishop Auza Concludes His Service;
Archbishop Caccia To Arrive

On October 1, Pope Francis appointed Archbishop Bernardito Auza as Apostolic Nuncio to the Kingdom of Spain and the Principality of Andorra and on November 16, Pope Francis appointed Archbishop Gabriele Caccia as new Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations in New York.

Archbishop Auza had served as Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations in New York since July 1, 2014. During his years of service as Permanent Representative to the United Nations, he welcomed Pope Francis to the United Nations on September 25, 2015, and participated in the negotiations that led to the adoption of various international documents, such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the Treaty on the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, the Global Compact on Safe Orderly and Regular Migration and many other multilateral achievements.

He described his years of service at the United Nations as “intense years of learning and understanding more deeply the great international questions of our time.” They were also years, he said, of “knowing and working with the Catholic Church in the tri-State area and beyond,” in particular in ministering to the Filipinos and other migrant communities. He began his service as Apostolic Nuncio to Spain on December 1.

Archbishop Caccia has been serving as Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines since September 12, 2017. A native of Milan, Italy, he was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Milan on June 11, 1983 and served for three years in a Milanese parish before he was sent to the Vatican’s Diplomatic School, the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome, where he obtained a Doctorate in Sacred Theology (STD) and a Licentiate in Canon Law (JCL) from the Pontifical Gregorian University. Upon graduation in 1991, he joined the diplomatic service of the Holy See.

His first assignment was at the Apostolic Nunciature in Tanzania, where he served for two years until in 1993 he returned to Rome to work in the First Section (for General Affairs) of the Secretariat of State of the Vatican. On December 17, 2002, he was appointed Assessor for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State. On July 16, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI named him Apostolic Nuncio in Lebanon and Titular Archbishop of Sepino and he was consecrated bishop by Pope Benedict on September 12, 2009.

About his successor, Archbishop Auza said, “Archbishop Caccia and I have known each other for more than thirty years, since our years together at the Vatican’s Diplomatic School. In the two years he has spent in my home country the Philippines, he has endeared himself so deeply to the Filipinos. While the Philippines will surely miss him, the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations will greatly benefit from his rich diplomatic experience and impressive priestly and human qualities.”

About his new assignment, which he will begin on January 16, Archbishop Caccia said, “I have really loved my time in the Philippines and will miss this beautiful country and its faithful people, to whom I express my deepest gratitude. But I hope to be able to fulfill well the new task Pope Francis has entrusted to me, seeking to bring the light of Catholic social teaching to the discussions and debates of the international community. Next year, the United Nations will celebrate the 75th anniversary of its founding, and I look forward to helping the Holy See assist the United Nations in renewing its commitment to the pillars of its Charter, preventing the scourge of war, defending human dignity and rights, promoting integral development, and fostering respect and implementation of international law and treaties.”

Archbishop Caccia is the seventh Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations in New York since the Holy See became a Permanent Observer State on April 6, 1964. He succeeds Msgr. Alberto Giovannetti (1964-1973), Archbishop (later Cardinal) Giovanni Cheli (1973-1986), Archbishop (later Cardinal) Renato Martino (1986-2002), Archbishop Celestino Migliore (2002-2010), Archbishop Francis Chullikatt (2010-2014) and Archbishop Bernardito Auza (2014-2019).

Statements 2019

This year, the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the UN delivered 85 interventions. Archbishop Auza and the diplomats from the Mission gave 71; Pietro Cardinal Parolin, Secretary of State, Head of Delegation of the Holy See to the United Nations during UNGA74, 11; Then Monsignor, now Archbishop, Antoine Camilleri, former Under-Secretary for Relations with States, gave three.

Here they are, with links to the individual statements:

On January 22, the Holy See delivered a statement on the "Situation In The Middle East, Including The Palestinian Question" in the Security Council
On January 24, the Holy See delivered a statement at the "First Celebration Of The International Day Of Education” at the maiden celebration of the International Day of Education at the United Nations
On January 25, the Holy See delivered a statement on the "Addressing The Impacts Of Climate-Related Disasters On International Peace And Security" in the Security Council
On February 5, the Holy See delivered an intervention on "Building Social Cohesion And Inclusive Communities" at “The New York Interfaith Dialogue: Building Social Cohesion and Inclusive Communities at the UN"
On February 14, the Holy See delivered a statement "Addressing Inequalities And Challenges To Social Inclusion" at the 57th Session of the Commission for Social Development
On February 25, The Holy See delivered a statement at the "Twenty-Fifth Session Of The Council Of The International Seabed Authority" in Kingston, Jamaica.
On February 27, Monsignor Antoine Camilleri, Under-Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See, delivered a statement on the theme of "High Level Debate on International Migration "
On February 27, Monsignor Antoine Camilleri, Under-Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See, delivered a statement on "Security Council Open Debate On Silencing The Guns In Africa" in the Security Council
On February 28, Monsignor Antoine Camilleri, Under-Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See, delivered a statement on "Engaging Youth As Key Partners In Migration Governance" at the International Dialogue on Migration
On March 1, the Holy See gave opening remarks at the event entitled "International Religious Freedom: A New Era For Advocacy In Response To A New Age Of Challenges And Threats"
March 12, the Holy See gave opening remarks at the event entitled “Social Protection Systems and Access to Public Services In the Fight Against Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery”
On March 15, the Holy See delivered at statement at the Sixty-Third Session of the Commission on the Status of Women
On March 15, the Holy See gave opening remarks at the event entitled "Valuing Unpaid Work and Caregiving" during the Commission on the Status of Women
On March 19, the Holy See gave opening remarks at the event entitled "Protecting Femininity And Human Dignity In Women’s Empowerment And Gender Equality Policies” during the Commission on the Status of Women.
On March 20, the Holy See gave opening remarks at a side event entitled "Gender Equality And Gender Ideology: Protecting Women And Girls” during the Commission on the Status of Women.
On March 22, the Holy See gave opening remarks at a side event entitled "Social Protections for Women, Girls and All Those with Down Syndrome” during the Commission on the Status of Women.
On March 25, the Holy See delivered a statement on "Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity" at the Second Session of the Intergovernmental Conference on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
On March 28, the Holy See delivered a statement on "Combatting the Financing of Terrorism” during the Security Council Open Debate on Threats to International peace and security.
On March 29, the Holy See delivered a statement on "Climate and Sustainable Development for All" at a High-Level Meeting on Climate and Sustainable Development
On April 3, the Holy See delivered a statement at the "Commission on Population and Development"
On April 11, the Holy See delivered a statement on the high-level meeting for the "100th Anniversary of the International Labour Organization"
On April 11, the Holy See delivered a statement on "United Nations Peacekeeping Operations: Women in Peacekeeping" in the Security Council
On April 16, the Holy See delivered a statement at the "Open-ended Working Group on Ageing"
On April 23, the Holy See delivered a statement on "Women, peace and security: Sexual Violence in Conflict" in the Security Council
On April 27, the Holy See delivered a statement on "International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace" at a High-level Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly
On April 29, the Holy See delivered a statement on "The Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question" at the Security Council
On April 30, the Holy See delivered a statement to the "Preparatory Committee for the 2020 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference" at the 2019 Preparatory Committee for the 2020 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference
On May 2, the Holy See delivered a statement on "Strengthening Ties with the Muslim Community: Promoting Dialogue, Understanding, Tolerance and Acceptance" at a Luncheon for Member States hosted by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
On May 3, the Holy See delivered a statement at the "Commemorative Event for the Victims of the Easter Sunday attacks on Sri Lanka"
On May 6, the Holy See delivered a statement before the "UN Forum on Forests"
On May 17, the Holy See delivered a statement at a High-Level Meeting on "International Cooperation to Combat Illicit Financial Flows"
On May 23, the Holy See delivered a statement on the "Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict" in the Security Council
On June 11, the Holy See delivered a statement during consultations on the UN "Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites"
On June 24, the Holy See delivered a opening remarks at a side event entitled: "Countering Terrorism and Other Acts of Violence: Fostering Tolerance and Inclusivity"
On June 25, the Holy See delivered a statement on "The Middle East, including the Palestinian Question" at the Security Council
On June 25, the Holy See delivered a statement on "UNWRA" at the Pledging Conference of the Ad Hoc Committee of the General Assembly for the Announcement of Voluntary Contributions to UNRWA
On July 12, the Holy See gave a keynote address on "Laudato Si- An Integral Ecology" at a side-event on Youth Aspirations and Climate Urgency
On July 20, the Holy See delivered a statement “after the adoption of draft resolution A/73/L.99"
On July 23, the Holy See delivered a statement on "The Middle East, including the Palestinian Question" before the Security Council
On July 26, the Holy See delivered a statement on the "Commemoration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the International Seabed Authority" in Kingston Jamaica
On August 2, the Holy See delivered a statement on the "Children and Armed Conflict" in the Security Council
On September 9, the Holy See delivered a statement on the "International Day Against Nuclear Tests" at the High-Level Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly on the occasion of the International Day against Nuclear Tests
On September 11, the Holy See gave opening remarks at the side event entitled, "Be Peace: Pathways Toward a Culture of Peace"
On September 13, the Holy See delivered an intervention at the "High Level Forum on Culture of Peace"
On September 17, the Holy See delivered a statement at the "First Annual Global Climate Restoration Forum" Roundtable Discussion
On September 23, the Holy See presented a video message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the "Climate Action Summit" 2019
On September 23, Cardinal Parolin delivered a statement on "Protection of Rainforests" at the High-Level Meeting on Multilateral Action in Favor of the Protection of Rainforests
On September 23, Cardinal Parolin delivered a statement on "Universal Health Coverage" at the High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage
On September 24, Cardinal Parolin delivered an intervention at the "High-level Event on Syria" at the High-Level Ministerial Event on Syria
On September 24, Cardinal Parolin delivered an intervention during the plenary session of the High Level Political Forum on "Sustainable Development"
On September 25, Cardinal Parolin delivered an intervention during the "Comprehensive Nuclear-Test Ban Treaty Conference" at the XI Conference to Facilitate the Entry into Force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
On September 26, Cardinal Parolin delivered a statement on "Human Trafficking" at a Ministerial Breakfast hosted by the Group of Friends United Against Human Trafficking.
On September 26, Cardinal Parolin delivered a statement on the the "International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons" at the General Assembly High-Level Plenary Meeting to commemorate and promote the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons
On September 27, Cardinal Parolin delivered an intervention at a High-Level Panel Discussion entitled "Rebuilding Lives, Rebuilding Communities: Ensuring a Future for Persecuted Christians"
On September 28, Cardinal Parolin delivered a statement on the "Central African Republic" at a Ministerial-Level Meeting on the Central African Republic
On September 28, Cardinal Parolin delivered a statement on the "Sustainable Development Goals" at the High-level meeting to review progress in addressing the priorities of Small Island Developing Nations
On September 29, Cardinal Parolin delivered the General Debate statement of the Holy See in the General Assembly Hall
On October 1, the Holy See made a statement before the Third Committee of the General Assembly on "Social Development"
On October 4, the Holy See made a statement before the Third Committee of the General Assembly on "The Advancement of Women"
On October 7, the Holy See made a statement before the Third Committee of the General Assembly on the "Crime Prevention, Criminal Justice and Drug Control'
On October 8, the Holy See made a statement at the "Second Committee General Debate"
On October 9, the Holy See made a statement before the Third Committee of the General Assembly on the "Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Children"
On October 10, the Holy See made a statement before the Second Committee of the General Assembly on "Macroeconomic Policy Questions"
On October 11, the Holy See made a statement before the Sixth Committee of the General Assembly on "Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism"
On October 11, the Holy See made a statement before the Second Committee of the General Assembly on "Agricultural development, food security and nutrition"
On October 11, the Holy See made a statement before the Third Committee of the General Assembly on the "Rights of Indigenous Peoples"
On October 14, the Holy See made a statement before the Sixth Committee of the General Assembly on "The Rule of Law at National and International Levels"
On October 15, the Holy See made a statement before the Second Committee of the General Assembly on "Sustainable Development"
On October 16, the Holy See made a statement before the Sixth Committee of the General Assembly on "The Eradication of Poverty and other Development Issues"
On October 16, the Holy See made a statement before the Sixth Committee of the General Assembly on "The Scope and Application of the Principle of Universal Jurisdiction"
On October 17, the Holy See made a statement before the Second Committee of the General Assembly on "Globalization and Interdependence"
On October 18, the Holy See made a statement before the First Committee of the General Assembly on "General and Complete Disarmament"
On October 25, the Holy See made a statement before the First Committee of the General Assembly on "General and Complete Disarmament Nuclear Weapons"
On October 24, the Holy See made a statement before the Fourth Committee of the General Assembly on the "Effects of Atomic Radiation"
On October 25, the Holy See made a statement before the First Committee of the General Assembly on "General and Complete Disarmament"
On October 28, the Holy See made a statement on "The Middle East and the Palestinian Question" in the Security Council
On October 29, the Holy See made a statement before the First Committee of the General Assembly on the "Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space"
On October 30, the Holy See made a statement before the Third Committee of the General Assembly on the "Elimination of Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance"
On October 31, the Holy See made a statement before the Sixth Committee of the General Assembly on the "Report of the International Law Commission"
On November 1, the Holy See made a statement before the Fourth Committee of the General Assembly on the "Peaceful Uses of Outer Space"
On November 4, the Holy See delivered a statement at the "Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security" in the Security Council
On November 5, the Holy See delivered a statement before the Sixth Committee of the General Assembly on the "Report of International Law"
On November 14, the Holy See delivered a statement before the Fourth Committee of the General Assembly on "Peacekeeping Operations"
On November 19, the Holy See delivered a statement on "Peace building and Sustaining Peace" in the Security Council
On November 21, the Holy See delivered a statement on the thirtieth anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Children in the General Assembly Hall

Pietro Cardinal Parolin gives the General Debate Address in the General Assembly Hall on September 28, 2019Monsignor Antoine Camilleri, Under-Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See, delivers an intervention at the United Nations on the subject of international migration.

Events 2019

In 2019, the Holy Mission sponsored 15 events at the United Nations. Here are a list of articles for each event, which contain links to Archbishop Auza’s opening remarks for each event, to the interventions of various speakers, and to the video from UN Web TV.

On March 1, the Holy See sponsored a side event entitled "A New Era for International Religious Freedom in Response to a New Age of challenges and Threats"
On March 12, the Holy See sponsored a side event entitled "Social Protection Systems Necessary In The Fight Against Human Trafficking"
On March 15, the Holy See sponsored a side event entitled "Valuing Unpaid Work And Caregiving"
On March 22, the Holy See sponsored a side event entitled "Protecting Femininity and Human Dignity in Women's Empowerment and Gender Equality Policies Today"
On March 20, the Holy See sponsored a side event entitled "Gender Equality and Gender Ideology: Protecting Women and Girls "
On March 21, the Holy See sponsored a side event entitled "Greater Protection Of Unborn Children With Down Syndrome"
On April 26, the Holy See sponsored a side event with REPAM entitled "Toward an Integral Ecology: Responding to the Urgent Cries and Horizons of the Amazon"
On June 7, the Holy See held a side event entitled "Big Data In The Fight Against Human Trafficking And Modern Slavery"
On June 8, the Holy See sponsored a side event entitled “Educating to Fraternal Humanism to Built A Civilization Of Love" during the Global Catholic Schools Congress"
On June 10, the Holy See co-sponsored a side event entitled "Good Parenting Builds Society: The Importance of Motherhood and Fatherhood"
On June 24, the Holy See co-sponsored a side event on "Countering Terrorism and Other Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief"
On July 11, the Holy See participated in a side event entitled Young People: Caring For Our Common Home"
On July 29, the Holy See sponsored a side event entitled "Faces in the Fight Against Human Trafficking,” launching an art exhibition on the work of an international network of religious sisters fighting against modern slavery entitled, Talitha Kum: Nuns Healing Hearts
On September 27, the Holy See co-sponsored a side event entitled "Ensuring a Future for Persecuted Christians"
On November 20, the Holy See sponsored a side event entitled "Listening To Survivors Of Religious Persecution: The Call To Religious Freedom"

Fight Against Human Trafficking - On March 12, the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations sponsored an even on Social Protection Systems Necessary In The Fight Against Human Trafficking.

The Importance of Valuing Unpaid Caregiving - On March 15, 2019, during the Commission on the Status of Women, the Holy See Sponsored an event entitled Valuing Unpaid Work And Caregiving

Protecting Femininity and Human Dignity in Women's Empowerment and Gender Equality - On March 19, 2019, the Holy See sponsored an event on protecting femininity in efforts to advance women and gender equality, ensuring that women’s authentic dignity is promoted in efforts claiming to advance the cause of women and equality between men and women.

Gender Equality and Gender Ideology: Protecting Women and Girls - On March 20, 2019, the Holy See Mission sponsored an event examining the recent phenomenon of gender ideology and its impact on the advancement of women.

Greater Protection Of Unborn Children With Down Syndrome — On March 21, 2019, which is International Down Syndrome Day, the Holy See sponsored a side event on protecting children with Down Syndrome from death in the womb, how to advance the human rights of those with Down Syndrome, and how to learn from those with Down Syndrome.

Responding to the Urgent Cries and Horizons of the Amazon — On April 26, the Holy See sponsored a side event with REPAM on the needs of the indigenous people in the Amazon, in anticipation of the Synod on the Amazon that would be held in the Vatican in October.

Big Data In The Fight Against Human Trafficking And Modern Slavery — On June 7, 2019 the Holy See sponsored a side-event on the use of big data, particularly from corporations, in the fight against modern slavery.

"Building A Civilization Of Love” — On June 8, 2019, the Holy See sponsored a conference on Educating to Fraternal Humanism to Build a Civilization of Love together with the International Organization of Catholic Education, at the conclusion of their 2019 World Conference.

Good Parenting Builds Society: The Importance of Motherhood and Fatherhood — On June 10, 2019, the Holy See held a side event together with Djibouti, Belarus and the Universal Peace Federation on the importance of motherhood and fatherhood. It was commemorating the Global Day of Parents.I

Countering Terrorism and Other Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief : On June 24, 2019, the Holy See participated in a side event with several other Missions and the UN Office of Counter Terrorism on countering terrorist attacks against religious believers. Archbishop Auza is pictured with several Permanent Representatives.

Caring for Our Common Home - On July 11 the Holy See to the UN, took part in a side event during the High Level Political Forum, entitled "Youth Aspirations and Climate Urgency." Archbishop Auza is pictured with youth representatives of the Don Bosco Alliance.

Nuns Healing Hearts - On July 29, 2019, on the eve of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the UN held an event entitled "Faces in the Fight Against Human Trafficking” together with an exhibition entitled, "Talitha Kum: Nuns Healing Hearts," featuring the work of the Talitha Kum sisters through the photographs of of Lisa Kristine. It was co-sponsored by the Galileo Foundation and the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.

Ensuring a Future for Persecuted Christians — On September 27, 2019, The Permanent Mission of Hungary sponsored a side-event on ensuring a future for persecuted Christians, particularly in the Middle East, involving ministers from Hungary, Brazil, the Philippines and the Holy See. Here Cardinal Parolin delivers remarks featuring his trip last Christmas to Iraq and his first-hand witness of the struggles and heroism of Christians in the Nineveh Plain.

Listening to the Survivors Of Religious Persecution — On November 20, the Holy See sponsored an event with Aid to the Church in Need USA entitled "Listening To Survivors of Religious Persecution: The Call To Religious Freedom,” in which first-hand accounts of the sufferings of Christians in Pakistan, the Philippines and Sri Lanka were heard. The United States of America and Hungary likewise participated.

Annual Prayer Service

Annual Prayer Service —

On September 16, Bishop Paul Hinder, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, His Excellency Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, President of the 74th Session of the General Assembly, His Excellency Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Permanent Observer of the Holy See Mission and Fr. Gerald Murray, Pastor of Holy Family Church, delivered remarks at the Annual Prayer Service sponsored by Holy See Mission for the UN Diplomatic Community and personnel, together with religious and ecumenical leaders in the New York area on the occasion of the opening of the 74th Session of the General Assembly.
To see photos of the event, please click here:

Welcomes and Goodbyes at the Holy See Mission

2019 was not only a year in which the Head of Mission, Archbishop Bernardito Auza, was reassigned to Spain and Andorra and replaced by Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, but when several other staff members departed the Mission for other assignments and their duties were assumed by new team members.

In July the Holy See Mission said goodbye to Monsignor Tomasz Grysa (right), who served for three years in New York and was appointed as First Counsellor at the Apostolic Delegation of the Holy See in Jerusalem. In September, we welcomed his replacement, Monsignor Fredrik Hansen (left), who had been serving at the Holy See’s Mission to the UN in Vienna.

In March, Timothy Herrman (right), who after four years as a negotiator for the Holy See’s Mission in New York, moved to Rome to continue working for the Holy See at the Secretariat of State. In May, Giulia Maniezzi, Ph.D. (left), who was teaching ethics at the University of Toulouse and had previously served an internship at the Holy See Mission, joined the team as a negotiator on the Second Committee, covering Economic, Financial and Environmental Issues.

In May, Ora Duffley (left) joined the team in May as an attaché working on communications, events and special Projects for the Mission. She took over from Anna Fata (right), who after four years at the Mission, left for Barcelona to pursue an MBA.

In October, we welcomed Sr. Elsa Nacianceno, a Missionary Catechist of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, to the Mission to succeed Sr. Lourdes Nerva as business manager and archivist. Sr. Lourdes left at the end of October for the Philippines, after having served three years with us.

Path to Peace Gala
Dinner 2019

On May 22, the Path To Peace Foundation honored Aid To The Church In Need at the 27th Path to Peace Gala. 540 attendees gathered at the Pierre Hotel as Mr. Thomas Heine-Geldern, Executive President of Aid to the Church in Need International. recieved the award in the name of the papal foundation. Aid to the Church in Need assists Christians throughout the world persecuted for their faith.Left: Mrs. Vicki Downey, 2019 Path to Peace Gala Dinner Chairperson, and Eastern Lieutenant of the Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, together with Mr. Thomas Heine-Geldern, Executive President Aid to the Church in Need and Archbishop Bernardito Auza. Right: Guests enjoy the banquet at the Path to Peace Gala in the Pierre Hotel.

To read more about the 2019 Path to Peace Gala Dinner, click here.
To see more photos from the event, click here.

Holy See Mission Interns 2019

The Holy See Mission has continued to benefit enormously from the presence of interns to assist the work. Here are photos from the Spring, Summer and Fall Intern Cycles.

Spring Interns 2019: L-R: Roxanne Heidrich (Germany/Italy), Jose Villanueva (Peru), Lia Alejo (Philippines), Chiara Mocchi (Italy), Luke Miller (USA), Corrine Vidales (USA), Alexander MacDonald (Canada), and Guilia Iop (Italy).

Summer Interns 2019: L-R: Melinda Davis (USA), Olivia Owino (Uganda), Pedro Weizenmann (Brazil), Siobhan Heekin-Canedy (USA/Ukraine), Johannes Ludwig (Germany), Portia Berry-Kilby (United Kingdom) and John Ketcham (USA).

Fall Interns 2019: L-R: Veronica Czarnik (USA), Sofia Lesmes (USA), Christabel Fernandez (Singapore), Aaron Humphriss (United Kingdom), Patrick Fernandez (Philippines), Carmen Tate (USA), Collette Power (United Kingdom) and Emily Ghazoul (USA).

Renovations at
Holy See Mission

There have also been changes at the Mission office as renovations were done in August and September to the chapel, which is the most important part of the Mission, and the internship floor, to make it more conducive to the work that the interns do in support of the Mission.

The heart of our Mission — Our newly renovated chapel Ready for work and collaboration — Thanks to the generosity of the Path to Peace Foundation, we were able to renovate the second floor so that our interns can work effectively and efficiently.