NEW AMBASSADOR OF SLOVAKIA PRESENTS CREDENTIALS

VATICAN CITY, DEC 19, 2002 (VIS) - This morning the Holy Father received the Letters of Credence of Dagmar Babcanova, the new ambassador of the Slovakian Republic to the Holy See.

In his speech, the Pope made it clear that the Catholic Church, to which many Slovakian citizens belong, "carries out their mission in full recognition of the sovereignty of the democratic State with which it intends to maintain a cordial and constructive dialogue in respect of their reciprocal competencies with the intention of contributing to the nation's well-being and progress."

"This dialogue," he continued, "has special significance in this phase in which Slovakia, after a severe period of persecution, is flourishing in freedom and wants to make authentic progress at all levels. It is important in this phase of tumultuous transformations that you do not give in to false hopes which find their root in practical materialism and excessive consumerism. I am confident that the Slovakian people, respecting the rich tradition of moral values which has always characterized them, know how to confront the dangers of a modernity deaf to the values of the spirit."

Referring to Slovakia joining the European Union, John Paul II said that it will mean "a very significant contribution of culture and values" to the new Europe. In addition, he added, for new generations it is a "concrete possibility to better use their own energies for the benefit of the common good. This is," he said, "my fervent desire."

The Pope emphasized that "tomorrow's society will be founded on young people. For this reason, it is necessary that the State offer them the indispensable help for their formation and for their entrance into the work force." In this sense, he affirmed, it is very important to facilitate "the formation of new and solid families, based on marriage and open to life. ... This was one of the objectives of the Agreement-base, signed between the Holy See and the Slovakian Republic in 2000." The Holy Father concluded by expressing the desire that "the new climate created by this agreement may foster better collaboration between the authorities of the State and the pastors of the Church to better serve the common good of the nation."

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