POPE WELCOMES NEW AMBASSADOR FROM IVORY COAST

VATICAN CITY, OCT 20, 2000 (VIS) - Pope John Paul II this morning welcomed the new ambassador to the Holy See from the Ivory Coast, Louis Esmel, who presented his Letters of Credence and, in his address to the Pope, congratulated him upon the 22nd anniversary of his election to the See of Peter.

The Pope, in his speech to the ambassador, greeted the leaders and people of the nation, and recalled that "since becoming independent, the Ivory Coast has shown how attached it is to its long tradition of fraternity and hospitality. Today, as new problems present themselves to the nation, it would be fitting for it to preserve this heritage and consolidate its unity. The use of violence to settle differences can only lead to reinforcing divisions and tensions and to threatening, in the long run, social organization. Peace is a priceless treasure which, to be fully preserved, demands that the building of a society be based on the principles of equity, truth, justice and solidarity."

He then highlighted the importance of "two indivisible and interdependent rights: the right to peace and the right to integral development marked by solidarity."

The Holy Father, pointing to the Church's commitment to and role in human societies, said that she "hopes to contribute to building a united and fraternal national community, ... to favor relations of trust and to seek ways of an authentic reconciliation among all the inhabitants of a country. For that to happen, there must be a climate of dialogue which is respectful of legitimate differences, because the growth of ethnic or religious animosity is a serious threat to peace and unity and goes against God's plans for mankind."

"The Church," said John Paul II in concluding remarks, "invites leaders in the public sphere to an ever greater and more authentic awareness of moral values. ... These universal values, such as respect for all human life and its dignity, solidarity and a sense of the common good, the fraternal welcoming of foreigners, are especially dear to the African peoples."

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