Potential ambassador to the Vatican says US, Rome share values

Washington D.C., Sep 21, 2005 / 22:00 pm

The United States and the Vatican share some fundamental values, investment firm owner Francis Rooney told a Senate Committee Monday.

Rooney appeared before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee in an hourlong hearing, testifying to his qualifications and answering questions relevant to his potential role as ambassador to the Vatican, reported the Naples Daily.

The Senate is expected to confirm Rooney as ambassador to the Vatican by November.

"Mr. chairman, the United States and the Holy See share the fundamental values of the inherent dignity and right to freedom of each person," he was quoted as saying.

"Pope Benedict XVI has made clear that he intends to continue the work of Pope John Paul II in defending human rights, promoting human dignity and working to advance dialogue among people of different faiths, races and ethnicities."

His resume includes working with the Red Cross, the United Way and the strategic planning committee for the St. Francis Hospital System, a Catholic health-care provider in Tulsa, Okla.

He has served on the board of the Young Presidents' Organization, whose members include more than 8,500 chief executive officers from 75 countries, and as a member of the Board of Advisors to the Panama Canal Authority.