At 11:30am this morning (5:30am EST), in the Consistory Hall at the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father, Pope Francis received in audience a delegation from the National Council of the Principality of Monaco.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I am pleased to welcome you on the occasion of this study trip that you are carrying out, with the guidance of your Archbishop, in order to know the work that is being done in the Holy See, especially through meetings on the topics of interest to you and for which our common commitment is shared. I thank you for this initiative and I am pleased that I have the opportunity to address you.
In my Message for the 52nd World Day of Peace which was observed on January 1st, I drew attention to the need for a good policy, which is at the service of the human community as a fundamental vehicle for building citizenship and the works of man (Message for the LII World Day of Peace, 2). It is this delicate mission to which I encourage you: that of working together, without pause, for the common good. May you always have at heart the promotion of a future for every citizen, in the fundamental respect of the values that are the dignity of persons and of every human life, as well as respecting the institutions of your Principality.
The Principality of Monaco has a long and beautiful tradition of commitment to the environment, in particular through the Albert II of Monaco Foundation. Today, there is the challenge of global warming and its consequences that endanger the inhabitants of the maritime regions of our planet who are often in a precarious situation. On the humanitarian level, you do a lot to help in all kinds of difficulties, in collaboration with the Catholic Church and other Christian Confessions, as well as with many NGOs. Your public subsidy for development contributes to various works in disadvantaged countries, in the essential sectors of family support, education, health and socio-economic aid. You have also put in place five pilot programs that show your generosity and your ability to respond to new challenges.
I sincerely hope that, beyond the concrete and necessary help that is provided, every initiative is like a leaven of hope, to generate an attitude of trust in the future and in other people, whoever they are. Our responsibility is great, especially towards the young people, so that they may find in us adults who trust them and encourage their talents to enable them to commit themselves together to the service of the common good of their country and of the whole world. In a time of growing distrust and selfishness, sometimes even rejection, it is a matter of urgency that we weave links between people and countries, so that everyone may grow in the joyous feeling of their responsibility as the inhabitants of the world, citizens and actors of the future. In this sense, international volunteering for young diplomats and partnerships with solidarity organizations are valuable tools. Moreover, Monegasques can rely on the founding values of the Principality inspired by the Gospel and its message of love. These values offer them, today as they did yesterday, the opportunity to root and make the Gospel bear fruit in their own lives and beyond, expressing its unifying force and its perennial novelty at the service of politics, dialogue between cultures, justice and fraternity.
As I reminded the Ambassadors present at the exchange of good wishes on 7 January this year, referring to the vision of Pope Paul VI in his speech at the United Nations, we must get used to thinking ... in a new way the coexistence of humanity, in a new way routes of history and the destinies of the world ... Never before today, in an age of so much human progress, has it become necessary to appeal to the moral conscience of man! The danger comes neither from progress nor from science. ... The real danger lies in man, master of ever more powerful instruments, acts of ruin and the highest conquests! (New York, October 4, 1965, No. 7). So in order to rethink our common destiny and build it, we must be aware of our responsibility and take the path of peace with ourselves, peace with others and peace with creation. This is the policy of peace that I invite you to promote, each one of you and all together in the high mission entrusted to you.
Dear friends, I renew my gratitude for this meeting and through you, I cordially greet Prince Albert II and his family. I ask God to support your efforts and strengthen the bonds that unite you in the service of the Principality and the international community. He abundantly blesses you, your families and all Monegasques. Please do not forget to pray for me. Thank you.
(Original text in Italian)
Greetings of His Holiness, Pope Francis
offered to a delegation from Monaco
Ladies and gentlemen,
I am pleased to welcome you on the occasion of this study trip that you are carrying out, with the guidance of your Archbishop, in order to know the work that is being done in the Holy See, especially through meetings on the topics of interest to you and for which our common commitment is shared. I thank you for this initiative and I am pleased that I have the opportunity to address you.
In my Message for the 52nd World Day of Peace which was observed on January 1st, I drew attention to the need for a good policy, which is at the service of the human community as a fundamental vehicle for building citizenship and the works of man (Message for the LII World Day of Peace, 2). It is this delicate mission to which I encourage you: that of working together, without pause, for the common good. May you always have at heart the promotion of a future for every citizen, in the fundamental respect of the values that are the dignity of persons and of every human life, as well as respecting the institutions of your Principality.
The Principality of Monaco has a long and beautiful tradition of commitment to the environment, in particular through the Albert II of Monaco Foundation. Today, there is the challenge of global warming and its consequences that endanger the inhabitants of the maritime regions of our planet who are often in a precarious situation. On the humanitarian level, you do a lot to help in all kinds of difficulties, in collaboration with the Catholic Church and other Christian Confessions, as well as with many NGOs. Your public subsidy for development contributes to various works in disadvantaged countries, in the essential sectors of family support, education, health and socio-economic aid. You have also put in place five pilot programs that show your generosity and your ability to respond to new challenges.
I sincerely hope that, beyond the concrete and necessary help that is provided, every initiative is like a leaven of hope, to generate an attitude of trust in the future and in other people, whoever they are. Our responsibility is great, especially towards the young people, so that they may find in us adults who trust them and encourage their talents to enable them to commit themselves together to the service of the common good of their country and of the whole world. In a time of growing distrust and selfishness, sometimes even rejection, it is a matter of urgency that we weave links between people and countries, so that everyone may grow in the joyous feeling of their responsibility as the inhabitants of the world, citizens and actors of the future. In this sense, international volunteering for young diplomats and partnerships with solidarity organizations are valuable tools. Moreover, Monegasques can rely on the founding values of the Principality inspired by the Gospel and its message of love. These values offer them, today as they did yesterday, the opportunity to root and make the Gospel bear fruit in their own lives and beyond, expressing its unifying force and its perennial novelty at the service of politics, dialogue between cultures, justice and fraternity.
As I reminded the Ambassadors present at the exchange of good wishes on 7 January this year, referring to the vision of Pope Paul VI in his speech at the United Nations, we must get used to thinking ... in a new way the coexistence of humanity, in a new way routes of history and the destinies of the world ... Never before today, in an age of so much human progress, has it become necessary to appeal to the moral conscience of man! The danger comes neither from progress nor from science. ... The real danger lies in man, master of ever more powerful instruments, acts of ruin and the highest conquests! (New York, October 4, 1965, No. 7). So in order to rethink our common destiny and build it, we must be aware of our responsibility and take the path of peace with ourselves, peace with others and peace with creation. This is the policy of peace that I invite you to promote, each one of you and all together in the high mission entrusted to you.
Dear friends, I renew my gratitude for this meeting and through you, I cordially greet Prince Albert II and his family. I ask God to support your efforts and strengthen the bonds that unite you in the service of the Principality and the international community. He abundantly blesses you, your families and all Monegasques. Please do not forget to pray for me. Thank you.
(Original text in Italian)
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