The
Holy See Mission at the United Nations in New York follows attentively and with
interest the work of the United Nations Organization. In this forum, the
Holy See Mission communicates the centuries’ experience of the Catholic Church
to humanity, and places this experience at the disposal of the United Nations
to assist it in its realization of peace, justice, human dignity and
humanitarian cooperation and assistance.
The
experience and activity of the Holy See is directed towards attaining freedom
for every believer and seeks to increase the protection to the rights of every
person, rights which are grounded and shaped by the transcendent nature of the
person, which permit men and women to pursue their journey of faith and their
search for God in this world.
In its
activities at the United Nations, the Holy See Mission works to advance freedom
of religion and respect for the sanctity of all human life - from conception to
natural death - and thus all aspects of authentic human development including, for
example, marriage and family, the primary role of parents, adequate employment,
solidarity with the poor and suffering, ending violence against women and children, poverty eradication, food, basic
healthcare and education.
Latest Statements
Intervention of H.E. Francis A. Chullikatt, Head of the Delegation of the Holy See
before the Fourth Session of the Preparatory Committee
for the United Nations Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty
New York, 13 February 2012
It pleases me to express to you at the outset the full collaboration of my delegation for a productive outcome to the efforts of the last session of the Preparatory Committee for the United Nations Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT)...
Read the rest of these remarks here.
Intervention of the Holy See at the Special Event
of the 66th session of the United Nations General Assembly
"World Interfaith Harmony Week 2012: Common Ground for the Common Good"
New York, 7 February 2012
It is my pleasure to add my voice to yours Mr. President and to that of Her Excellency Dr. Asha-Rose Migiro, UN Deputy Secretary General and the other leaders speaking in today’s program to highlight the work being done by religious organizations and to promote ongoing efforts for achieving greater interreligious harmony. Today’s meeting is a reminder that the participation of religious organizations and openness to the Transcendent are not only a welcome reality in many parts of the globe but are a necessity everywhere if we are to address the challenges of our time.
Read the rest of these remarks here.
Intervention of the Holy See before the Fiftieth Session of the Commission on Social Development on Agenda Item 3(a) Poverty Eradication
New York, 6 February 2012
The rapid economic expansion seen in some regions of the world have lifted millions of people out of poverty over the past two decades. However, this new found economic prosperity is not only challenged by the ongoing financial and economic instability in many corners of the world but has also presented new challenges as countries work to find ways to ensure that economic growth benefits all people within society.
Read the rest of these remarks here.
Address of Pope Benedict to the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See
Rome, 9 January 2012
It is always a particular pleasure for me to receive you, the
distinguished members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy
See, in the splendid setting of this Sala Regia, and personally to offer
you my cordial good wishes for the New Year...
Read the rest of these remarks here.
News Links
15 February 2012
VIS: Joint communiqué of the Holy See and the government of the United Kingdom
14 February 2012
Vatican Radio: Baroness Warsi leads British government delegation to Vatican
The Telegraph: British society under threat from "militant secularization"
Vatican Radio
13 February 2012
Pope Benedict makes appeal for Syria
VIS
2 February 2012
Pope urges international community to address poverty in Sahel region
AsiaNews.it
9 February 2012
Indonesia: Catholics raise funds, collect food for East Sumba villages at risk for famine
AsiaNews.it
9 February 2012
Alexandria: forced eviction of 62 Coptic families by the Salafis
VIS
2 February 2012
The History of the Universe from Atoms to Galaxies
CWN
31 January 2012
Thirty-five Christians face expulsion from Saudi Arabia
Fides
31 January 2012
Sudan: Two priests kidnapped on January 15 have been freed without ransom
L'Osservatore Romano
30 January 2012
Condolences of Benedict XVI on the death of Oscar Luigi Scalfaro
Vatican Radio
29 January 2012
Holy See and PLO meet in Ramallah
Catholic Church Statistics (Eng) (Esp) (Fra)
Persecuted & Forgotten? A report on Christians oppressed for their Faith 2011
The Names of Pastoral Workers, Priests, Men and Women Religious and Lay Catholics Killed During 2011 (doc)
The Names of Pastoral Workers, Priests, Men and Women Religious and Lay Catholics Killed During 2010
The Names of Pastoral Workers, Priests, Men and Women Religious and Lay Catholics Killed During 2009