Vatican
City, 9 April 2013
(VIS) - Today the Holy Father received in audience Mr. Ban Ki-moon,
secretary-general of the United Nations, with his wife and entourage.
Secretary-General Ban later met with His Eminence, the Secretary of
State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, S.D.B., accompanied by Archbishop
Antoine Camilleri, Under-Secretary for the Holy See’s Relations
with States.
“The
meeting,” reads the press communique, “which follows in the
tradition of audiences granted by Popes to the various
Secretaries-General of the United Nations who have held that position
over the years, hopes to express the appreciation that the Holy See
has for that Organization’s central role in the preservation of
peace in the world, in the promotion of the common good of humanity,
and in the defence of fundamental human rights.”
“During
the course of the cordial conversations, issues of mutual interest
were discussed, in particular: situations of conflict and serious
humanitarian emergency, especially in Syria and other places such as
the Korean peninsula and the African continent, where peace and
stability are threatened. The problem of human trafficking was noted,
in particular that of women, refugees, and migrants. The UN
Secretary-General, who recently began his second term in this role,
outlined his project for his second five-year mandate, which focuses,
among other things, on conflict prevention, international solidarity,
and equitable and sustainable economic development.”
“Pope
Francis also recalled the Catholic Church’s contribution, beginning
with her identity and through the means proper to her, in support of
the entirety of human dignity and in promoting a Culture of Encounter
that helps to realize the UN’s highest institutional goals.”
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