Opening Statement by the Chairman

 His Excellency Ambassador Francesco Paolo Fulci

 Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations

Your Serene Highness,
Your Eminence,
Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

In my capacity as Chairman of the Committee on Conferences of the Path to Peace Foundation for the year 1996, it is my honor to welcome all of you to this Seminar on the Address of His Holiness Pope John Paul II to the United Nations. In organizing this meeting, the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations, in conjunction with the Path to Peace Foundation, has desired to offer to this great Areopagus an occasion to more deeply reflect on the message offered by His Holiness during his 5 October 1995 visit to Headquarters.

At this time, I would like to personally express my sentiments of deep respect to His Holiness Pope John Paul II who, by his visit to United Nations Headquarters last October, has demonstrated a keen interest and concern for the vision and efforts of this world body. The Holy Father's words on that day were truly a source of inspiration and encouragement to all who were present.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are honored by the participation of His Excellency Dr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Secretary-General of the United Nations. At the end of our program  the President  of the General Assembly, His Excellency Professor Diogo Freitas do Amaral, will join us as well. The presence of the President and the Secretary-General on this podium is a clear sign of the importance that the international community attaches to the visit and message of the Holy Father on the occasion of the Fiftieth Anniversary Year of the United Nations Organization.

I take great joy, also, in the active participation of His Serene Highness Prince Hans-Adam II, Reigning Prince of the Principality of Liechtenstein, as well as of His Excellency Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, Secretary for Relations with States of the Secretariat of State of His Holiness Pope John Paul II. May I take this opportunity, as well, to cordially greet my colleague Ambassadors and all other members of the diplomatic community of the United Nations, members of the clergy, religious, representatives of the academia, of the media, as well as our many friends and guests. Your presence offers testimony to your solidarity, love and respect for the Holy Father.

Before giving the floor to Archbishop Martino, I wish to express my own joy and satisfaction in being able to serve in the capacity of Chairman of this Seminar. As you are aware, I have the honor to serve as Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations. Our capital city of Rome, also affectionately known as the "Eternal City", possesses as well a tremendous religious significance, for within its walls is situated Vatican City, the Headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church. Throughout the centuries the culture of my country has been profoundly inspired by faith's richness. This is reflected not merely in the magnificent artworks and architecture which draw millions of pilgrims and tourists to admire its beauty, but particularly in the inspiration of the human heart, which is uniquely accomplished through the gift of faith.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

While, during the course of our program I will have the pleasure to introduce each speaker individually, I would like at this time to warmly thank them for having accepted the opportunity to be with us today, in spite of their busy agendas.

And now, as we begin our program, may I introduce to you His Excellency Archbishop Renato Martino, who will offer us his words of welcome.