Vatican City, Dec 11, 2003 / 22:00 pm
Pope John Paul II made a quick evaluation of the ending year in a speech delivered to four new ambassadors to the Holy See, including the first ambassador ever from Qatar.
Speaking in French, the Pope accepted the diplomatic credentials of Birger Dan Nielsen of Denmark, Walter Woon of Singapore, Mohamad Jaham Abdulaziz Al-Kawari of Qatar and Priit Kolbre of Estonia.
“The end of the civil year,” the Holy Father said, “is a propitious occasion to analyze the world situation and the events to which we are witnesses. As all diplomats, you attempt to create bonds among persons and among countries, thus favoring peace, friendship and solidarity among peoples.”
“You do so in the name of your governments, who have as their concerns a globalization of fraternity and solidarity, with the certitude that what brings men together is more important than what divides them,” he added.