Pope Francis arrives in the Clementine Hall at the Vatican to receive the letters of credential of 11 new ambassadors to the Holy See Dec. 7, 2024. (CNS/Vatican Media)
Catholic News Service
Climate change, war, immigration and other global challenges can only be resolved with the input and cooperation of the entire global community, Pope Francis told a group of new ambassadors to the Holy See.
"Our world is increasingly beset by problems that affect the entire human family and call for concerted action by all who are concerned for the future of our planet," he said Dec. 7 as he accepted the letters of credential from the ambassadors from India, Jordan, Denmark, Luxembourg, São Tomé and Príncipe, Rwanda, Turkmenistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and Kenya.
Climate change, which particularly impacts "developing nations and the poorest members of society, the armed conflicts that cause untold suffering to so many of our brothers and sisters, and the plight of countless migrants and refugees fleeing their homelands in search of a better future for their families," call for a global response, he said.
"Such issues have no simple solution, nor are they able to be resolved by the actions of one nation or a small group of states," the pope said. "Every country must have a voice in addressing these problems of international concern and formulating comprehensive and long-term solutions."
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The issues are daunting, he said, but there is hope. "History has shown that much progress can be made in resolving seemingly intractable situations through quiet, patient and persistent diplomatic efforts inspired by mutual respect, good will and moral conviction."
Francis compared the work of a diplomats to a minuet dance characterized by "small steps in order to achieve harmony."
"Indeed, many current global problems are longstanding, which rather than discouraging us should prompt us to look for new and innovative solutions," he said.
With the opening of the Holy Year 2025 just over two weeks away, the pope asked the ambassadors to be part of the Jubilee effort to bring hope to the world.
By "working with courage and creativity in promoting bonds of friendship, cooperation and dialogue in the service of peace," he said, "your work, often quiet and hidden, will help to plant the seeds of a future of hope for our war-weary world."
