Vatican City, Oct 30, 2003 / 22:00 pm
Pope John Paul welcomed six members of the Diplomatic Corps to the Holy See, representing various geographical areas, on Friday, October 31, to present him with their best wishes for the Silver Jubilee of his Pontificate.
Representing all members of the Diplomatic Corps were Ambassadors Alejandro Emilio Valladares Lanza of Honduras, for the Americas; Kazys Lozoraitis of Lithuania, for Europe; Raniero Avogardo from Italy, for the European Union; Henri Antoine Turpin of Senegal, for Africa; Youm Seong from Korea, for Asia, and Giovanni Galassi of San Marino, dean of the Diplomatic Corps to the Holy See.
The Diplomatic Corps gave the Holy Father a highly artistic pectoral cross for his anniversary.
The Pope thanked them for their presence, their “fervent best wishes” and for “the significant gift that you have given to me on this occasion.”
Noting that they represent diverse geographic areas, he told the diplomats that he was “happy to greet all the countries with which the Holy See maintains diplomatic ties. I willingly take this opportunity to express my great gratitude for the many signs of closeness that have been shown to me in these days by each one of them.”
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