Address of His Holiness Pope Francis To Members of the Diplomatic Corps Accredited to the Holy See
At the Vatican on Monday, 9 January 2023, Pope Francis delivered his annual "state of the world" address to the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See.
In his address, the Holy Father reminded the Ambassadors that 2023 will mark the sixtieth anniversary of Pope John XXIII’s encyclical Pacem in Terris, which was published on 11 April 1963. Pope Francis recalled the four pillars of peace which Pope John XXIII highlights in his encyclical: truth, justice, solidarity, and freedom.
Pope Francis further detailed the varied and complex conditions necessary to secure peace, including the need to allow all women to have their human rights recognized; to combat the emerging "fear of life" by defending life from conception to natural death; and to universally recognize religious freedom. Additionally, Pope Francis called for greater solidarity among the human family in the areas of migration, economy of work, and the care of the environment.
"Great good can be achieved by working together.
We need only think of the praiseworthy initiatives that aim at reducing poverty, assisting migrants, combating climate change, promoting nuclear disarmament, and providing humanitarian aid. Yet, in recent times, the various international forums have seen an increase in polarization and attempts to impose a single way of thinking, which hinders dialogue and marginalizes those who see things differently."
–Pope Francis, 9 January 2023, Address to Members of the Diplomatic Corps Accredited to the Holy See
The Holy Father Embarks on
31 January-5 February
"Ecumenical Peace Pilgrimage"
to the Democratic Republic of the Congo
and South Sudan
"These lands, situated in the centre of the great African continent, have suffered greatly from lengthy conflicts. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, especially in the east of the country, suffers from armed clashes and exploitation. South Sudan, wracked by years of war, longs for an end to the constant violence that forces many people to be displaced and to live in conditions of great hardship. In South Sudan, I will arrive together with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. Together, as brothers, we will make an ecumenical pilgrimage of peace, to entreat God and men to bring an end to the hostilities and for reconciliation.
I ask everyone, please, to accompany this Journey with their prayers."
– Pope Francis, Angelus, Sunday 29 January 2023
Click here to view the full itinerary of the Apostolic Journey of His Holiness.
Archbishop Caccia Delivers Statement to the Peacebuilding Commission During the Ambassadorial-level Meeting on South Sudan
On 31 January 2023, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, delivered a statement to the Peacebuilding Commission during an ambassadorial-level meeting on South Sudan.
In his remarks, Archbishop Caccia addressed the upcoming visit of Pope Francis to South Sudan from the 3rd to the 5th of February, during which the Holy Father will meet with the President and Vice Presidents in Juba, civil society and internally displaced persons, and participate in ecumenical prayer at the John Garang Mausoleum. The case of South Sudan, Archbishop Caccia said, shows that Christianity is a force for peace, a force which is amplified when Christians act ecumenically.
Archbishop Caccia complimented the humanitarian and development work by the UN and its Member States. Acknowledging the difficulties in the peace process in South Sudan, he expressed the Holy See’s hope that civil leaders in South Sudan will accelerate efforts to increase transparency and advance democratic norms and the rule of law.
In conclusion, Archbishop Caccia encouraged the government of South Sudan to promote peace and reconciliation as well as to move forward with national elections.
Holy See Mission Welcomes
Spring 2023 Interns
Spring 2023 Interns
L-R: Benedetta Viviano (Italy), Ciara Hogan (United Kingdom), Marcello Marcello (Italy), Nicholas Bonfiglio (USA), Patricia Onuoha (Nigeria), Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Johannes Bonnelycke (Denmark), Carlos Garcés (Ecuador), Alexandre Kubala (France), and Daniela Saffie Budnik (Chile)
Since 2015, the Holy See Mission has had 162 interns from 37 different 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 application period for Summer 2023 is now closed, but the Mission is currently accepting applications for the Fall 2023 session, which will run from August through December 2023.
Save the Date:
Path to Peace Gala
May 17, 2023 at the Pierre Hotel
Path to Peace Gala Recipient Filipo Grandi Meets with Pope Francis
Filipo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, met with Pope Francis on Monday, 30 January 2023. During their meeting, the Holy Father offered encouragement for his work with migrants and refugees. Soon afterwards, the Holy Father embarked on an apostolic journey to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan, two African countries where millions have had to flee violence.
“To spend a few minutes with the Holy Father recharges you and gives you new energy, as he recommended me to have: to face the challenges ahead, which are many all over the world!”
–Filipo Grandi, 30 January 2023, to Vatican News
Path to Peace Gala Recipient Filipo Grandi Meets with Pope Francis
Filipo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, met with Pope Francis on Monday, 30 January 2023. During their meeting, the Holy Father offered encouragement for his work with migrants and refugees. Soon afterwards, the Holy Father embarked on an Apostolic Journey to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan, two African countries where millions have had to flee violence.
“To spend a few minutes with the Holy Father recharges you and gives you new energy, as he recommended me to have: to face the challenges ahead, which are many all over the world!”
–Filipo Grandi, 30 January 2023, to Vatican News
Click here to read the full Vatican News article by Linda Bordoni and listen to the full interview.