Ringing in the New Year at the Vatican brings with it many traditions. One of these is the Pope's annual address to the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See.
CHRISTOPHER TROTT
British Ambassador to the Holy See
This is a setting out of the Holy See's agenda, its diplomatic agenda—not just backward looking but forward looking. And for us, we're looking for partnerships with the Holy See on issues we share concern of or we want to address together.
For British Ambassador to the Holy See, Christopher Trott, the address is a reminder of the partnership between Britain and the Vatican, which he describes as flourishing, thanks largely to the late Pope emeritus, Benedict XVI. The Ambassador says it was his efforts that allowed Pope Francis to focus on a broader and more international agenda.
CHRISTOPHER TROTT
British Ambassador to the Holy See
Pope Francis today talked of the environment, of girls' education. He talked of the death penalty. I mean, you know, the scope of his vision was as global as any government's vision. And I think the origins of a lot of that—the transformation of papal diplomacy—dated from the time of Benedict.
Ambassador Trott says this annual address is a reminder of how much attention the Pope and the Vatican dedicate to global issues. While Russia’s invasion of Ukraine may have been the focus in 2022, the Church is constantly concerned over conflicts in other parts of the world, like Yemen, South Sudan or Iran.
CHRISTOPHER TROTT
British Ambassador to the Holy See
I mean I think that the thing that really it reminds you of is the global vision of Pope Francis and the global reach of the Catholic Church, of course, but also the global reach of the diplomatic network of the Holy See.
For Britain’s Ambassador to the Holy See, the Pope’s annual address is an opportunity for the entire Diplomatic Corps to unite with the Vatican, not only in showing solidarity with those who suffer, but also in helping to provide practical solutions to many of the crises that afflict our world today.
KG
