CREDENTIALS OF NEW AMBASSADOR OF FRANCE

VATICAN CITY, JUN 27, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father received today the Letters of Credence of the new ambassador of France to the Holy See, Pierre Morel. In his speech addressing the diplomat, John Paul II recalled "the age-old history of relations between France and the Holy See" and underlined "the essential role of France in the construction of the European Community and the progressive unification of the continent."

"France," he continued, "is called to play a leading role in the construction and extension of the European identity so that the principles of fraternity, equality and liberty, for which your compatriots feel a legitimate devotion, irradiate all over the world."

After referring to the work of the Commission in charge of studying the Constitution of the European Union and to the principles upon which the constitution must be based, he said: "How can we not mention the decisive contribution of the values which Christianity espouses and that have contributed to strengthening culture and humanism of which Europe feels legitimately proud and without which its most profound identity could not be understood?"

John Paul II praised initiatives in the field of European education directed toward "youths so that through the knowledge of the existence of religion, they might discover different religions and human communities that practice them and in this way be able to commit themselves to searching for the meaning of their existence ... This will promote mutual respect and will contribute to a greater social peace and a deeper fraternity among all those who make up a nation."

"Far from constituting a threat to social life, religious forces are, in effect, an opportunity for community life, because they participate, from the place that corresponds to them, in the construction of a society where man examines himself taking into account all his dimensions. The national community can also benefit from the cultural, spiritual and moral values of which traditional religions are the vehicle."

Referring to relations between the Holy See and France at the end of his speech, he affirmed: "The Holy See congratulates itself for establishing a permanent accord in the field of relations of the Church with the French State ... which will promote without a doubt a better, mutual knowledge ... The path of dialogue and negotiation constitutes a reciprocal advantage as much for the State as for the Church for the resolution of concrete questions relative to exercising freedom of religion and worship."

CD;CREDENTIALS;...;FRANCE; MOREL;VIS;20020627;Word: 410;