Vatican City, May 26, 2004 / 22:00 pm
Addressing seven new ambassadors to the Holy See, Pope John Paul insisted on the need for an international effort to put an end to increasing violence in the world.
On Thursday morning, Pope John Paul received the credentials of Edgard Stephanus Ragoenath Amanh of Suriname, Sarala Manourie Fernando of Sri Lanka, Mohamed Salia Sokona of Mali, Yaha Ali Mohamed al-Abiad of Yemen, Anderson Kaseba Chibwa of Zambia, Kingsley Sunny Ebenyi of Nigeria and Afif Hendaoui of Tunisia.
John Paul II lamented the fact that “disturbing news constantly arrives from all continents concerning the human rights situation, showing how men, women and children are tortured and how their dignity is profoundly offended, contrary to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”
“In this way, all humanity suffers injury and contempt. As all human beings are our brothers, we cannot remain quiet in the face of these intolerable abuses,” said the Pope; and he added that all men and women of good will “must do what they can to ensure that all human beings are respected.”