Vatican City, May 21, 2006 / 22:00 pm
Benedict XVI received today the Letters of Credence of Francisco Vazquez Vazquez, the new Spanish ambassador to the Holy See, as he recalled the Spanish people's constant attachment to the Catholic faith.
The Pope began his address to the diplomat by referring to his "fond memories" of Spain, "both for the friendliness of the people I met, and for the abundance and great importance of the many works of art and expressions of culture throughout her territory."
Pope Benedict stressed the " enviable heritage," of Spain, "denoting a brilliant history profoundly imbued with Christian values.” “If this were to be ignored or passed over in silence, it would lose a large part of its attraction and meaning, " he underlined.
Stressing the great vitality of the Church in Spain’s history, he invited for a “close collaboration between the Church and public institutions with the aim of achieving the integral good of people who, as citizens of their country, are also the much beloved children of the Church."