Death of Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino
His Eminence Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino, President Emeritus of both the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, died in Rome on October 28, 2024, a month shy of his 92nd birthday.
Cardinal Martino is lovingly remembered in New York for his service as Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations (1986-2002). For sixteen years, he was a father figure to the Holy See Mission, nurturing its growth and ensuring that the voice of the Pope was heard by the family of nations, calling all its members to walk together on the “Path to Peace.” He established the Foundation which bears that name to ensure continued support for the work of the Mission.
Cardinal Martino will be remembered for his faithful service to the Holy See as a diplomat and curial official, but above all for his strong advocacy for peace, social justice, and human rights throughout his ministry.
In the afternoon of Wednesday 30 October, the Dean of the College of Cardinals celebrated the funeral in the Vatican Basilica, together with about forty concelebrants, Cardinals and Bishops. At the end of the celebration, Pope Francis presided over the rite of Ultima Commendatio and Valedictio.
We commend the soul of Cardinal Martino to the loving mercy of God. May he rest in peace.
Pope Francis publishes the Encyclical Letter Dilexit Nos
on the human and divine love
of the heart of Jesus Christ
On 24 October 2024, Pope Francis published his fourth Encyclical Letter, Dilexit Nos.
“HE LOVED US”, Saint Paul says of Christ (cf. Rom 8:37), in order to make us realize that nothing can ever “separate us” from that love (Rom 8:39). Paul could say this with certainty because Jesus himself had told his disciples, “I have loved you” (Jn 15:9, 12). Even now, the Lord says to us, “I have called you friends” (Jn 15:15). His open heart has gone before us and waits for us, unconditionally, asking only to offer us his love and friendship. For “he loved us first” (cf. 1 Jn 4:10). Because of Jesus, “we have come to know and believe in the love that God has for us” (1 Jn 4:16).
Holy See Statements
at the United Nations
Statement by Archbishop Caccia at the Third Committee on Social Development
On 4 October 2024, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, issued a statement at the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly on agenda item 26: Social development.
In his remarks, Archbishop Caccia reaffirmed that social development, a fundamental pillar of integral human development, cannot be achieved without inclusion. He noted that the discourse on inclusion is at odds with the spreading of a “throwaway culture” that dehumanizes individuals and perpetuates injustice and inequality.
Emphasizing that the eradication of poverty is essential to the achievement of integral human development, he noted that the serious effects of poverty are not only material but spiritual and need to be addressed as such. In this regard, he underscored the importance of education which not only enables but ennobles.
Archbishop Caccia further asserted that the family plays a pivotal role in caring for the young, the old, and those in need, and, in some parts of the world, is the only source of social protection. Recognizing various challenges that families face today, he underscored the need to support healthy family formation and family life.
Other Holy See Statements
at the United Nations
Archbishop Caccia Delivers Statement at the Third Committee on Human Rights Questions
Archbishop Caccia Delivers Statement at the Fourth Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation
Archbishop Delivers Statement At the Thematic Discussion On Nuclear Weapons at the First Committee
Archbishop Caccia Delivers Statement at the Second Committee on Sustainable Development
Archbishop Caccia Delivers statement on the rights of Indigenous people
Archbishop Caccia delivers statement at the Third Committee on the Advancement of Women
Archbishop Caccia Delivers Statement at the Third Committee on Rights of Children.
Life of the Mission
Piano Concert to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Presence of the Holy See as an Observer State at the UN
On the evening of Tuesday 22 October, the Permanent Observer Mission organized a Piano Concert to celebrate, in an atmosphere of simplicity and fraternity, the 60th Anniversary of the Presence of the Holy See as an Observer State at the United Nations.
Several Ambassadors of the Permanent Missions of different Countries accredited to the United Nations and Members of the Consular Corps attended the event.
The Filipino Maestro Raul Sunico, to recall the five Papal Visits to the United Nations Organization, chose a piece by a composer from the Country of origin of each of the four Popes – Clementi, Chopin, Wagner, Ginastera – adding two more compositions honoring the Philippines and the Host Country – written respectively by Molina and Gershwin.
A reception followed the concert.
Birthdays at the Holy See Mission Office
Happy Birthday!
This month Owan Duangmala, Michel Haroun, Father Mark Knestout, and Monsignor Giuseppe Quirighetti celebrated their birthdays!
Ad multos annos!
Summer 2025 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 Summer 2025 session, which will run from June through August 2025.