Pontiff’s ‘state of the world’ address covered many issues of local and world conflict
Pope Francis has welcomed the agreement reached by political parties in the North to save the assembly from collapsing as a “positive development”. The Pope made his remarks following a wide-ranging address to the diplomatic corps this week promoting political solutions to conflicts across the globe.
Ireland’s new resident ambassador to the Vatican, Emma Madigan, spoke to Pope Francis after his traditional annual speech to diplomats accredited to the Holy See, often referred to as his ‘state of the world’ address. Ms Madigan told The Irish Catholic she used the opportunity to brief the Pontiff on the December talks among the North’s five main parties, which endorsed a 75-point deal addressing disputed matters.
“I got a chance to convey the best wishes of the Irish people for 2015 and given the overriding theme of his remarks for the attainment of peace, I briefly updated him on developments in Northern Ireland and the agreement reached there before Christmas,” she said.
Ms Madigan said Pope Francis expressed his hopes describing the agreement as “a positive development”.
She had previously briefed the Pope and other senior Vatican officials on the political progress when she presented her credentials as ambassador from President Michael D. Higgins late last year.
Peace
In his address Pope Francis focused on the need to work towards peace and build bridges through dialogue.
“I appeal to the entire international community, as I do to the respective governments involved, to take concrete steps to bring about peace and to protect all those who are victims of war and persecution, driven from their homes and their homeland,” Pope Francis said.
Ambassador Madigan said the Pope’s address was warmly received by the about 300 diplomats present on Monday and touched on many areas of interest.
“What struck me most was the breath of issues covered; from the number of countries in which conflict is an issue and the overriding issue of peace, and the search and attainment of peace, to religious rights, the poor, vulnerable and young people,” she said.
“There was a wide range of issues that affect many in the world today, but particularly the global network. It was something that I think spoke to many of us, because these are issues many countries are dealing with or trying to work to cooperate together to resolve,” Ms Madigan said.