Happy Thanksgiving!
Today, the Holy See Mission extends heartfelt wishes for a blessed and joyful Thanksgiving to all. The mission celebrated the occasion on Wednesday with a special meal, thoughtfully prepared by our wonderful kitchen staff.
Memorial Mass to Honour His Eminence Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino
On Saturday, November 23, 2024, the day in which the Cardinal would have celebrated his 92nd birthday, H.E. Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, together with the Priests, staff, interns and friends of the Holy See Mission, celebrated a deeply moving Mass at the Church of the Holy Family in loving remembrance of His Eminence Cardinal Renato Martino, who passed away on October 28, 2024. The Mass was a beautiful time of prayer, reflection, and gratitude, as members of the community gathered to honor his life and his tireless service to the Church.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio also attended, offering their prayers and love for the Cardinal, whose legacy of faith, kindness, and dedication touched so many lives. At the end of the celebration, each person received a booklet honouring the late Cardinal, which you can read in the link below.
Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin delivers Pope Francis' Message at the G20 Leaders Summit
Rio de Janeiro, 18-19 November 2024
On 18-19 November 2024, Pope Francis conveyed a message at the G20 Leaders Summit in Rio de Janeiro, which was delivered by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State.
"I would like to extend my congratulations to you for your role in chairing the Group of 20, which represents the largest economies in the world. I also extend warm greetings to all those present at this G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro. It is my sincere hope that the discussions and outcomes of this event will contribute to the advancement of a better world and a prosperous future for generations to come.
As I wrote in my Encyclical Letter Fratelli Tutti, “politics needs to make the effective elimination of hunger one of its foremost and imperative goals. Indeed, ‘when financial speculation manipulates the price of food, treating it as just another commodity, millions of people suffer and die from hunger. At the same time, tons of food are thrown away. This constitutes a genuine scandal. Hunger is criminal; food is an inalienable right’. Often, as we carry on our semantic or ideological disputes, we allow our brothers and sisters to die of hunger and thirst” (189)".
Message of His Holiness Pope Francis, Signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, to the President of the Fifth Review Conference on the Convention on Anti-Personnel Landmines
Siem Reap, Cambodia, 25 November 2024
Holy See Statements
at the United Nations
Archbishop Caccia Delivers Statement at the Fourth Committee on United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
15 November 2024
On 15 November 2024, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, issued a statement at the Fourth Committee on Agenda Item 49: United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.
In his remarks, Archbishop Caccia began by echoing the plea of Pope Francis for “an immediate ceasefire on all fronts. Let us pursue the paths of diplomacy and dialogue to achieve peace”. Reiterating the unequivocal condemnation of the terrorist attack of 7 October 2023 and Pope Francis’ urgent appeal for the immediate release of all hostages, he expressed profound concern at the catastrophic humanitarian crisis currently unfolding in the Gaza Strip. In this regard, the Archbishop recalled the immense loss of life and the forced displacement that the conflict has caused, not only in Palestine, but also in Lebanon.
In this challenging situation, the Archbishop voiced the urgency to respect customary international humanitarian law, facilitating the delivery of international aid and ensuring the protection of individuals who are not actively engaged in hostilities as the safeguarding of medical facilities, educational institutions, and places of worship. In this context, he reiterated the importance of the role of UNRWA to alleviate with its activities the suffering of over 5 million Palestinian refugees, urging at the same time the need for the Agency to remain politically neutral, impartial and effective.
The Archbishop concluded by affirming that undermining UNRWA’s mandate not only deprives vulnerable populations of essential support, but also risks weakening the framework of international law and called for the establishment of a just and lasting peace based on the two-State solution.
Archbishop Caccia Delivers Statement on the Comprehensive Review of the Whole Question on Peacekeeping Operations in All their Aspects
12 November 2024
On 12 November 2024, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, issued a statement at the Fourth Committee on Agenda Item 51: Comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects.
In his remarks, Archbishop Caccia reaffirmed the importance that peacekeeping operations have in restoring peace in conflict-affected regions, protecting vulnerable populations and promoting enduring peace. In the context of rising geopolitical tensions, environmental crises and increase in human rights violations, the Archbishop noted that these missions often encounter difficulties in securing the consistent and unified support from Member States. In this regard, he expressed profound concern over the recent attacks on peacekeeping personnel and urged Member States to reaffirm their shared commitment to ensure the safety of peacekeeping personnel and to remain united in support of these vital operations.
Archbishop Caccia Delivers Statement at the Third Committee on Racism and Other Related Intolerances
7 November 2024
On 7 November 2024, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, issued a statement at the Third Committee of the General Assembly on Agenda Item 69: the elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
Reaffirming that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights,” Archbishop Caccia noted that this fundamental truth, contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is constantly challenged. Discrimination, particularly racial discrimination, affects one sixth of the global population and is an affront to the dignity of every human being.
The Permanent Observer noted three areas of particular concern for the Holy See. First, the racism faced by migrants and refugees, which is often exploited for political purposes; second, the rise in religious intolerance and persecution, emphasizing the responsibility of governments to protect religious freedom; and third, the growing presence of racism and xenophobia on digital platforms, particularly unregulated social media.
To combat the scourge of racism and racial discrimination, the Archbishop highlighted the importance of education, starting within the family. This, in turn, leads to a change of attitude and a willingness to dialogue in a spirit of solidarity and fraternity overcoming indifference and fear.
Life at the Mission
Birthdays at the Holy See Mission Office
Happy Birthday!
On the 18th November, Lucía Caranti celebrated her Birthday!
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.