Pope Francis gathers foreign diplomats to the Holy See at the start of each new year to share his perspective on the world's most pressing global issues.
It's an occasion for diplomats such as Patrick Connell, Chargé d’Affaires of the American Embassy to the Holy See, to hear the Vatican's diplomatic priorities, and establish areas for collaboration with their home governments.
PATRICK CONNELL
Chargé d’Affaires, U.S. Embassy to the Holy See
'Some of the issues I think we'll be working on are addressing climate change, fighting human trafficking, and working with the Holy See on vaccine distribution. As you know, the Holy Father has called for equitable distribution of vaccines, and the United States has been a committed leader in the distribution of vaccines across the globe.'
Chargé Connell is the United States' top diplomatic representative to the Vatican, and was instrumental in organizing U.S. President Joe Biden's meeting with Pope Francis in Rome, a visit he says signals deeper relations with the Holy See in 2022.
PATRICK CONNELL
Chargé d’Affaires, U.S. Embassy to the Holy See
'We think that next year, the relationship between the United States and the Holy See will only grow even more stronger given President Biden's deep admiration and respect, which I was able to see during his visit here in October, his great respect for Pope Francis.'
The Chargé d’Affaires says the embassy is looking forward to welcoming its new ambassador, a role that has not been filled since the start of the Biden administration.
PATRICK CONNELL
Chargé d’Affaires, U.S. Embassy to the Holy See
'President Biden has nominated former senator Joseph Donnelly to be our next ambassador, and ambassador-designate Donnelly has already gone through a number of the several steps that one has to go through to be confirmed by the senate as an ambassador, he's had his hearing, and we're just waiting for the rest of those steps to be concluded and expect him to be out here soon.'
The former Indiana senator will soon lead the United States' diplomatic presence in the Vatican, to collaborate with the world's smallest country in addressing the planet's biggest issues.
JM
