TALY'S NEW AMBASSADOR TO HOLY SEE PRESENTS CREDENTIALS

VATICAN CITY, SEP 13, 1999 (VIS) - Raniero Avogadro, Italy's new ambassador to the Holy See, today presented his Letters of Credence to the Holy Father, who received him at the apostolic palace in Castelgandolfo.

In his welcome speech, the Pope underlined the historical ties which bind the Roman Pontiff to Rome and to Italy. He remarked that "Catholicism has marked the country with infinite signs of faith and charity," from works of art with religious themes, to "saints of exceptional stature," to "outstanding personalities of every order of the People of God, with singular contributions of genius and style to the Roman Curia."

John Paul II pointed out that "in this century, the misunderstandings and crises which had accompanied the formation of Italy as a free, national state, were happily overcome." He underlined that, while the Church's temporal domain had "its undeniable function," the 1929 Lateran Pacts settled the question of the Papal States, ratifying "the establishment of Vatican City State, which was given that minimum territorial basis necessary to assure the Pope and Holy See absolute sovereignty and independence." The Concordat, he added, became "a guarantee for that free exercise of religious life which is among the first of all human rights."

The Pope then spoke of the collaboration between the State and the Catholic Church "in the promotion of mankind and the good of the country." This collaboration, he said, must be "deepened and pursued," especially in questions regarding the defense of human dignity, the recognition and defense of the family, "the basic cell of society and its natural foundation," and in education. On the latter subject, he stressed the need for "effective juridical and economy parity between state and non-state schools."

Pope John Paul concluded by addressing remarks to the role of Christian Italy within the context of both Europe and the Mediterranean region: "Co-builder of a Europe of the spirit, artisan of peace in the Mediterranean, custodian of that ancient Christian soul which is part of its makeup and history: this is the Italy of my hopes!"

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