Vatican City, 12 January 2015 (VIS) –
This morning in the Clementine Hall the Holy Father addressed members
of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See for the exchange
of greetings that traditionally takes place at the beginning of the
new year. Francis thanked the dean of the ambassadors, Jean-Claude
Michel of Monaco, for the efforts made by the Corps in fostering, in
a spirit of mutual collaboration, the relations between the states
and international organisations they represent and the Holy See, and
added that during the past year “these relations were consolidated
by an increase in the presence of ambassadors resident in Rome and by
the signing of new bilateral Accords, both general, like the one
concluded last January with Cameroon, and specific, like those signed
with Malta and Serbia”.
During his address to the diplomats,
Pope Francis examined the international situation from the dual
perspective of hope and peace and the aspect of rejection, both
personal and social, “leading to the breakdown of society and
spawning violence and death”. The Pope mentioned a number of
dramatic events, such as the massacre of over one hundred children in
Pakistan, the confrontation in Ukraine, the continuing tension in the
Middle East, the recent attacks in Paris, the violence against the
population in Nigeria, and the civil conflicts in Libya, the Central
African Republic, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the
Congo; he also emphasised the fact that wars often involve the
widespread incidence of the horrendous crime of rape of women and
girls. He also made reference to those afflicted by the Ebola virus,
the problems faced by immigrants and refugees, and the lack of
assistance for families. The Holy Father remarked that the overview
should not however be dominated by pessimism, and he cited positive
elements such as the resurgence of Albania, the results of ecumenical
dialogue in Turkey, the expectations for Jordan and Lebanon, the
decision of the U.S.A. and Cuba to break their mutual silence, the
transformations in Burkina Faso, the efforts towards achieving stable
peace in Colombia and Venezuela and the decision of the U.S.A. to
close the Guantanamo Bay detention centre. He concluded by expressing
his hope for the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals and
the drafting of a new Climate Change Agreement over the coming year.
“I thank you for your presence at
this traditional meeting, which allows me at the beginning of each
new year to offer to you, your families, and the peoples you
represent, my cordial greetings and best wishes. I am especially
grateful to your Dean, Ambassador Jean-Claude Michel, for the kind
words which he addressed to me in the name of all, and I thank each
of you for your constant dedication and efforts to foster, in a
spirit of mutual cooperation, relations between the countries and
international organisations which you represent and the Holy See. In
the course of the past year too, these relations were consolidated by
an increase in the presence of ambassadors resident in Rome and by
the signing of new bilateral Accords, both general, like that
concluded last January with Cameroon, and specific, like those signed
with Malta and Serbia.
“Today I wish to repeat a word quite
dear to us: peace! It comes to us from the angelic hosts who
proclaimed it on Christmas night as a precious gift of God, while at
the same time as a personal and social responsibility which calls for
our commitment and concern. But together with peace, the image of the
Christmas creche speaks to us another tragic reality: that of
rejection. In some iconographic representations, both in the West and
in the East – I think for example of the splendid Nativity icon of
Andrej Rublev – the Child Jesus is shown not lying in a manger, but
in a tomb. The image, which is meant to connect the two principal
Christian feasts of Christmas and Easter, shows that the joyful
acceptance of this new birth is inseparable from the entire drama of
Jesus’ life, his humiliation and rejection, even to death on the
cross.
“The Christmas stories themselves
show us the hardened heart of a humanity which finds it difficult to
accept the Child. From the very start, he is cast aside, left out in
the cold, forced to be born in a stable since there was no room in
the inn. If this is how the Son of God was treated, how much more so
is it the case with so many of our brothers and sisters! Rejection is
an attitude we all share; it makes us see our neighbour not as a
brother or sister to be accepted, but as unworthy of our attention, a
rival, or someone to be bent to our will. This is the mindset which
fosters that 'throwaway culture' which spares nothing and no one:
nature, human beings, even God himself. It gives rise to a humanity
filled with pain and constantly torn by tensions and conflicts of
every sort.
“Emblematic of this, in the Gospel
infancy narratives, is King Herod. Feeling his authority threatened
by the Child Jesus, he orders all the children of Bethlehem to be
killed. We think immediately of Pakistan, where a month ago, more
than a hundred children were slaughtered with unspeakable brutality.
To their families I wish to renew my personal condolences and the
assurance of my continued prayers for the many innocents who lost
their lives.
“The personal dimension of rejection
is inevitably accompanied by a social dimension, a culture of
rejection which severs the deepest and most authentic human bonds,
leading to the breakdown of society and spawning violence and death.
We see painful evidence of this in the events reported daily in the
news, not least the tragic slayings which took place in Paris a few
days ago. Other people 'are no longer regarded as beings of equal
dignity, as brothers or sisters sharing a common humanity, but rather
as objects'. Losing their freedom, people become enslaved, whether to
the latest fads, or to power, money, or even deviant forms of
religion. These are dangers which I pointed out in my recent Message
for the World Day of Peace, which dealt with the issue of today’s
multiple forms of enslavement. All of them are born of a corrupt
heart, a heart incapable of recognising and doing good, of pursuing
peace.
“It saddens us to see the tragic
consequences of this mentality of rejection and this 'culture of
enslavement' in the never-ending spread of conflicts. Like a true
world war fought piecemeal, they affect, albeit in different forms
and degrees of intensity, a number of areas in our world, beginning
with nearby Ukraine, which has become a dramatic theatre of combat.
It is my hope that through dialogue the efforts presently being made
to end the hostilities will be consolidated, and that the parties
involved will embark as quickly as possible, in a renewed spirit of
respect for international law, upon the path of mutual trust and
fraternal reconciliation, with the aim of bringing an end to the
present crisis.
“My thoughts turn above all to the
Middle East, beginning with the beloved land of Jesus which I had the
joy of visiting last May, and for whose peace we constantly pray. We
did this with extraordinary intensity, together with the then
president of Israel, Shimon Peres, and the president of Palestine,
Mahmoud Abbas, inspired by a confident hope that negotiations between
the two parties will once more resume, for the sake of ending
violence and reaching a solution which can enable Palestinians and
Israelis alike to live at last in peace within clearly established
and internationally recognised borders, thus implementing the 'two
state solution'.
“The Middle East is tragically
embroiled in other conflicts which have lasted far too long, with
chilling repercussions, due also to the spread of fundamentalist
terrorism in Syria and in Iraq. This phenomenon is a consequence of
the throwaway culture being applied to God. Religious fundamentalism,
even before it eliminates human beings by perpetrating horrendous
killings, eliminates God himself, turning him into a mere ideological
pretext. In the face of such unjust aggression, which also strikes
Christians and other ethnic and religious groups in the region –
the Yezidis for example – a unanimous response is needed, one
which, within the framework of international law, can end the spread
of acts of violence, restore harmony and heal the deep wounds which
the ongoing conflicts have caused. Here, in your presence, I appeal
to the entire international community, as I do to the respective
governments involved, to take concrete steps to bring about peace and
to protect all those who are victims of war and persecution, driven
from their homes and their homeland. In a letter written shortly
before Christmas, I sought to express my personal closeness and the
promise of my prayers to all the Christian communities of the Middle
East. Theirs is a precious testimony of faith and courage, for they
play a fundamental role as artisans of peace, reconciliation and
development in the civil societies of which they are a part. A Middle
East without Christians would be a marred and mutilated Middle East!
In urging the international community not to remain indifferent in
the face of this situation, I express my hope that religious,
political and intellectual leaders, especially those of the Muslim
community, will condemn all fundamentalist and extremist
interpretations of religion which attempt to justify such acts of
violence.
“Sadly, comparable acts of brutality,
which not infrequently reap victims from among the poor and the most
vulnerable, are found in other parts of the world as well. I think in
particular of Nigeria where acts of violence continue to strike
indiscriminately and there is a constant increase in the tragic
phenomenon of kidnappings, often of young girls carried off to be
made objects of trafficking. This is an abominable trade which must
not continue! It is a scourge which needs to be eradicated, since it
strikes all of us, from individual families to the entire
international community.
“I also look with concern to the many
civil conflicts taking place in other parts of Africa, beginning with
Libya, ravaged by a drawn-out internecine war which has caused
unspeakable suffering among its people, with grave repercussions for
the delicate balances in the region. I think of the dramatic
situation in the Central African Republic, in which, sad to say, the
good will inspiring the efforts of those seeking to build a future of
peace, security and prosperity, has encountered resistance and
selfish partisan interests. These risk frustrating the hopes of a
people which has endured so much and which now longs to shape its
future in freedom. Of particular concern, too, is the situation in
South Sudan and in some areas of Sudan, the Horn of Africa and the
Democratic Republic of the Congo, where civilian casualties are on
the rise and thousands of persons, including many women and children,
are being forced to flee and to endure conditions of extreme
distress. I voice my hope for a common commitment on the part of
individual governments and the international community to end every
form of fighting, hatred and violence, and to pursue reconciliation,
peace and the defence of the transcendent dignity of the person.
“Nor can we overlook the fact that
wars involve another horrendous crime, the crime of rape. This is a
most grave offence against the dignity of women, who are not only
violated in body but also in spirit, resulting in a trauma hard to
erase and with effects on society as well. Sadly, even apart from
situations of war, all too many women even today are victims of
violence.
“Every conflict and war is emblematic
of the throwaway culture, since people’s lives are deliberately
crushed by those in power. Yet that culture is also fuelled by more
subtle and insidious forms of rejection. I think in the first place
of the way the sick are treated; often they are cast aside and
marginalised like the lepers in the Gospel. Among the lepers of our
own day we can count the victims of the new and terrible outbreak of
Ebola which, especially in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, has
already taken over six thousand lives. Today I wish publicly to
praise and thank those healthcare workers who, alongside men and
women religious and volunteers, are caring in every way possible for
the sick and their families, especially orphaned children. At the
same time I renew my appeal to the entire international community to
provide adequate humanitarian assistance to patients and to make
concerted efforts to combat the disease.
“Together with lives thrown away
because of war and disease, there are those of numerous refugees and
displaced persons. Once again, the reality can be appreciated by
reflecting on the childhood of Jesus, which sheds light on another
form of the throwaway culture which harms relationships and causes
the breakdown of society. Indeed, because of Herod’s brutality, the
Holy Family was forced to flee to Egypt, and was only able to return
several years later. One consequence of the situations of conflict
just described is the flight of thousands of persons from their
homeland. At times they leave not so much in search of a better
future, but any future at all, since remaining at home can mean
certain death. How many persons lose their lives during these cruel
journeys, the victims of unscrupulous and greedy thugs? I raised this
issue during my recent visit to the European Parliament, where I
insisted that 'we cannot allow the Mediterranean to become a vast
cemetery'. Then too there is the alarming fact that many immigrants,
especially in the Americas, are unaccompanied children, all the more
at risk and in need of greater care, attention and protection.
“Often coming without documents to
strange lands whose language they do not speak, migrants find it
difficult to be accepted and to find work. In addition to the
uncertainties of their flight, they have to face the drama of
rejection. A change of attitude is needed on our part, moving from
indifference and fear to genuine acceptance of others. This of course
calls for 'enacting adequate legislation to protect the rights of…
citizens and to ensure the acceptance of immigrants'. I thank all
those who, even at the cost of their lives, are working to assist
refugees and immigrants, and I urge states and international
organisations to make every effort to resolve these grave
humanitarian problems and to provide the immigrants’ countries of
origin with forms of aid which can help promote their social and
political development and settle their internal conflicts, which are
the chief cause of this phenomenon. 'We need to take action against
the causes and not only the effects'. This will also enable
immigrants to return at some point to their own country and to
contribute to its growth and development.
“Together with immigrants, displaced
people and refugees, there are many other 'hidden exiles' living in
our homes and in our families. I think especially of the elderly, the
handicapped and young people. The elderly encounter rejection when
they are considered a 'burdensome presence', while the young are
thrown away when they are denied concrete prospects of employment to
build their future. Indeed, there is no poverty worse than that which
takes away work and the dignity of work, or which turns work into a
form of enslavement. This is what I sought to stress during my recent
meeting with popular movements working to finding adequate solutions
to some of today’s problems, including the scourge of rising
unemployment among the young, illegal labour, and the dramatic
situation of so many workers, especially children, who are exploited
out of greed. All this is contrary to human dignity and the fruit of
a mentality which is centred on money, benefits and economic profit,
to the detriment of our fellow man.
“Then too, the family itself is not
infrequently considered disposable, thanks to the spread of an
individualistic and self-centred culture which severs human bonds and
leads to a dramatic fall in birth rates, as well as legislation which
benefits various forms of cohabitation rather than adequately
supporting the family for the welfare of society as a whole.
“Among the causes of these realities
is a model of globalisation which levels out differences and even
discards cultures, cutting them off from those factors which shape
each people’s identity and constitute a legacy essential to their
sound social development. In a drab, anonymous world, it is easy to
understand the difficulties and the discouragement felt by many
people who have literally lost the sense of being alive. This tragic
situation is aggravated by the continuing economic crisis, which
fosters pessimism and social conflict. I have been able to see its
effects here in Rome, where I meet many people in trying situations,
and in the various journeys I have made in Italy.
“To the beloved Italian nation, then,
I would like to express my hope that in the continuing climate of
social, political and economic uncertainty the Italian people will
not yield to apathy or dissension, but will rediscover those values
of shared concern and solidarity which are at the basis of their
culture and civic life, and are a reason for confidence both now and
in the future, especially for the young.
“Speaking of the young, I wish to
mention my journey to Korea, where last August I met thousands of
young people assembled for the Sixth Asian Youth Day. There I spoke
of the need to treasure our young, 'seeking to pass on the legacy of
the past and to apply it to the challenges of the present'. This
demands that we reflect on 'how well we are transmitting our values
to the next generation and on the kind of world and society we are
preparing to hand on to them'.
“This evening I will have the joy of
setting off once more for Asia, to visit Sri Lanka and the
Philippines as a sign of my interest and pastoral concern for the
people of that vast continent. To them and to their governments I
wish to voice yet again the desire of the Holy See to offer its own
contribution of service to the common good, to harmony and social
concord. In particular, I express my hope for a resumption of
dialogue between the two Koreas, sister countries which speak the
same language.
“Your Excellencies, Ladies and
Gentlemen, at the beginning of a new year, though, we do not wish our
outlook to be dominated by pessimism, or the defects and deficiencies
of the present time. We also want to thank God for the gifts and
blessings he has bestowed upon us, for the occasions of dialogue and
encounter which he has granted us, and for the fruits of peace which
he has enabled us to savour.
“I experienced an eloquent sign that
the culture of encounter is possible during my visit to Albania, a
nation full of young people who represent hope for the future.
Despite the painful events of its recent history, the country is
marked by the 'peaceful coexistence and collaboration that exists
among followers of different religions', in an atmosphere of respect
and mutual trust between Catholics, Orthodox and Muslims. This is an
important sign that sincere faith in God makes one open to others,
generates dialogue and works for the good, whereas violence is always
the product of a falsification of religion, its use as a pretext for
ideological schemes whose only goal is power over others. Similarly,
in my recent journey to Turkey, a historic bridge between East and
West, I was able to see the fruits of ecumenical and interreligious
dialogue, as well as efforts made to assist refugees from other
countries of the Middle East. I also encountered this spirit of
openness in Jordan, which I visited at the beginning of my pilgrimage
to the Holy Land, and in the testimonies which come from Lebanon, a
country which I pray will overcome its current political problems.
“One example close to my heart of how
dialogue can build bridges comes from the recent decision of the
United States of America and Cuba to end a lack of communication
which has endured for more than half a century, and to initiate a
rapprochement for the benefit of their respective citizens. Here I
think too of the people of Burkina Faso, who are experiencing a
period of significant political and institutional change, with the
hope that a renewed spirit of cooperation will contribute to the
growth of a more just and fraternal society. I also note with
pleasure that last March an agreement was signed to end long years of
tension in the Philippines. I wish to encourage the efforts made to
ensure a stable peace in Colombia, as well as the initiatives taken
to restore political and social harmony in Venezuela. At the same
time, I express my hope that a definitive agreement may soon be
reached between Iran and the 5+1 Group regarding the use of nuclear
energy for peaceful purposes, and my appreciation of the efforts
already made in this regard. I note with satisfaction the intention
of the United States to close the Guantanamo detention facilities,
while acknowledging the generous willingness of several countries to
receive the detainees. I heartily thank those countries. Finally, I
would like to express my appreciation and encouragement to those
countries actively engaged in promoting human development, political
stability and civil coexistence between their citizens.
“Your Excellencies, Ladies and
Gentlemen, on 6 August 1945, humanity witnessed one of the most
horrendous catastrophes in its history. For the first time, in a new
and unprecedented way, the world experienced the full potential of
man’s destructive power. From the ashes of that immense tragedy
which was the Second World War, there arose among the nations a new
will for dialogue and encounter which inspired the United Nations
Organisation, whose seventieth anniversary we will celebrate this
year. In his visit to the UN headquarters fifty years ago, my
predecessor, Pope Paul VI, noted that 'the blood of millions,
countless unheard-of sufferings, useless massacres and frightening
ruins have sanctioned the agreement that unites you with an oath that
ought to change the future of the world: never again war, never again
war! It is peace, peace, that has to guide the destiny of the nations
of all mankind'.
“This is likewise my own hope-filled
prayer for this new year, which, for that matter, will see the
continuation of two significant processes: the drawing up of the
Post-2015 Development Agenda, with the adoption of Sustainable
Development Goals, and the drafting of a new Climate Change
Agreement. The latter is urgently needed. The indispensable
presupposition of all these is peace, which, even more than an end to
all wars, is the fruit of heartfelt conversion. With these
sentiments, I once more offer to each of you, to your families and
your peoples, my prayerful good wishes that this new year of 2015
will be one of hope and peace”.
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