NEW AMBASSADOR OF SLOVENIA PRESENTS CREDENTIALS

VATICAN CITY, SEP 5, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father received today at Castelgandolfo the Letters of Credence of the new ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia, Ludvik Toplak.

In his speech, the Pope manifested the Holy See's appreciation for Slovenia's actions "in favor of peace and collaboration among nations and for the effort it has made to enter the European Union officially."

"Christian heritage, which during the centuries has been the foundation and continues to be the soul of civil life in your country, constitutes a valid contribution for the construction in Europe of a civilization mindful of mutual understanding among people."

John Paul II said that in order "to build the 'common European house'" it is necessary to pay attention to the values upon which it is based. ... For this reason, the Holy See hopes that the identity and role of the Church are safeguarded, in the future as well, because it has always had a specific function in teaching the fundamental principles of civil co-existence, in offering answers to basic questions concerning the meaning of life, in the defense and promotion of the culture and identity of different people."

"We must react," he underlined, "against the temptation to exclude Christianity from the construction of a new Europe, because this would take away important energies from the process of the ethical and cultural foundation of civil co-existence on the Continent."

The Pope concluded by indicating that the Accord between the Republic of Slovenia and the Holy See passed on December 14 is an "eloquent example of mutual cooperation." After expressing the desire that it is implemented soon, he said: "It is a pact that guarantees the fundamental right to religious freedom. As an instrument that regulates relations between Church and State in a unqique way, not exclusive however, it serves the good of the Catholic community and represents at the same time a goal and a starting point for future agreements."

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