Belgrade, Serbia, Feb 12, 2011 / 13:09 pm
Although the Holy See has appointed a delegate to help Catholics in Kosovo, it does not recognize the region as an independent state, the Vatican's top diplomat to Serbia has confirmed.
When Archbishop Juliusz Janusz was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI as the new ambassador, or “apostolic nuncio,” to Slovenia on Feb. 10, he was also entrusted with the responsibility of apostolic delegate to Kosovo.
The Holy See's Press Office explained that as an apostolic delegate his responsibility has “a purely intra-ecclesial character.” The connection between the Vatican and Catholics in the Kosovo region is therefore “completely distinct” from diplomatic activity there.
“The mission of an apostolic delegate is not of a diplomatic nature but (it) responds to the requirement to meet in an adequate way the pastoral needs of the Catholic faithful,” the Vatican added.