Press Releases from the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations

Holy See Reasserts Role of Parents and Family in UN Deliberations on Adolescents and Youth

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

During this week-long convening of the 45th Session of the Conference on Population and Development, the Holy See drew attention to the “disconcerting trend... on the part of some to downplay the role of parents in the upbringing of their children, as if to suggest somehow that it is not the role of parents, but that of the State”.

Papal Greetings from Above
en Route to Mexico and Cuba

Sat, 24 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Pope Benedict sent telegrams to the heads of state of the countries he is scheduled to fly over as he makes his way to Mexico, the first leg of his Latin American trip. These countries are Italy, France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Greenland (Kingdom of Denmark), Canada, and the United States of America. In his telegrams, he assured the leaders of his prayers and best wishes for the people of their nations.

Papal Condolences to the Coptic Orthodox Church upon the Death of Pope Shenouda III

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Yesterday Pope Benedict XVI sent a telegram to the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church, expressing condolences for the death of Pope Shenouda III.

The Pope's Condolences for the Victims of the Coach Accident in Switzerland

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The Holy Father has sent a telegram of condolence, through Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B., to Archbishop Andre-Mutien Leonard of Mechelen-Brussels, Belgium, for the victims of a coach accident in Sierre. Switzerland, in which twenty-eight people lost their lives, twenty-two of them Belgian children on a school outing.

Papal Condolences for Victims of Train Wreck which took place in Szczekociny, Poland

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

In a telegram released Tuesday, Pope Benedict XVI expressed his “spiritual closeness and condolences” to the victims of last Saturday’s train wreck in Poland. He prayed for Divine Mercy and eternal life for those who died, for a speedy recovery for the injured; and for courage and peace for those who are suffering on account of the accident.

The Holy See Addresses the Needs of Rural Women

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Calling attention to the women in rural areas who “oftentimes work in deplorable situations against odds that defy imagination: long hours of unpaid work, unhygienic situations, poor nutrition, lack of access to water, limited access to healthcare, discrimination and exposure to violence, including against pregnant mothers” the Holy See today insisted that “women, and in particular rural women, should be given the recognition that is due to them and they should be able to make an impact on the world around them”

Holy Father’s Grief over the Argentinian Train Crash

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Pope Benedict has sent a telegram of condolence to the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Jorge Maria Cardinal Bergoglio, following a train crash in the city yesterday which killed 50 people and injured more than 675 people.

Pope's Sadness at the Fire in the Comayaga Prison

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

"His Holiness Benedict XVI, deeply saddened by the painful news of the conflagration in the 'Granja Penal' of Comayagua, which caused so many victims, raises fervent prayers to the Almighty for the eternal repose of the dead"

Pope Benedict Warns Against the Power of Finance and of the Media

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The Pope made reference to the force of evil which, in today's world, also emerges "in two great powers which are good and useful in themselves but easily open to abuse: the power of finance and the power of the media. Both are necessary, both are useful, but so subject to misuse that they often go against their true goals".

The Holy See and the UK Government United in the Struggle for Religious Freedom

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

"Holy See and Her Majesty’s Government agreed on the urgent need for action to strengthen the universal commitment to religious freedom as a fundamental human right, and to its practical application with a view to promoting respect for all religions in all countries. The Holy See and the British government look forward to working together to combat intolerance and discrimination based on religion, wherever it is manifest."

Appeal for an End to Violence in Syria

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

"It is with great concern that I am following the dramatic and increasing violence in Syria. In recent days there have been many victims, some of them children. I recall them all in my prayers, just as I do the wounded and those who are suffering the consequences of an increasingly worrying conflict."

Holy See Event at the UN on Eradication of Poverty

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

On Friday, February 3, 2012 1:15 to 2:45 p.m., the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See Mission, and its co-sponsors, New Humanity and the International Association of the Economy of Communion will host a parallel event on the occasion of the United Nations Commission on Social Development entitled: The Economy of Communion in Freedom: Ongoing Developments in the Fight for the Eradication of Poverty.

The Holy See Ratifies and Accedes to UN Conventions Against International Crime

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The Holy See, acting also in the name and on behalf of the Vatican City State, ratified the “United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances” of 20 December 1988 which was signed by the Holy See on the same date. Moreover, the Holy See acceded to the “International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism” of 9 December 1999 and to the “United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime” of 15 November 2000.

The Holy See Presents New Book on Peace Negotiation

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

On Thursday 27 October from 6:15 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See, with co-sponsorship of The Path to Peace Foundation, will host a panel discussion on the newly-released book Psychological and Political Strategies for Peace Negotiation: A Cognitive Approach in Conference Room 6 of the North Lawn Building at United Nations Headquarters in New York City.

Archbishop Mamberti Receives Honorary Doctorate from St. John’s University

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, Secretary for Relations with States, received the doctoral hood and diploma of St. John’s University at an evening ceremony on Monday the 26th. During the annual Vincentian Convocation, Rev. Donald Harrington, President of St. John’s, awarded the Honorary Doctor of Laws to the Archbishop, citing his extensive work promoting peace and representing the Apostolic See.

“Children Need Good Families”, The Holy See at UN Meeting on Youth

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Insisting that “each and every young person should be able to... grow and learn... free from all violence and discord... in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding”, the Holy See took the floor of the General Assembly Hall on the final day of the United Nations High-level Meeting on Youth...

Holy See will Host Official Side-Event for UN Conference on Youth

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The Holy See will sponsor a side event during this month’s United Nations High-level Meeting on Youth. The event, entitled “Youth Protecting and Promoting Human Dignity,” will take place on Monday, July 25th from 1:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. in the auditorium of the Church of Holy Family, located at 315 East 47th Street between First and Second Avenues, and will feature five young speakers who will discuss how they and their organizations protect and promote human dignity.

The Holy See Delegation Cites Extensive Experience and Recent Studies in Promotion of Abstinence and ART to Halt the Spread of HIV and AIDS

Sat, 11 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Professor Jane Adolphe, Associate Professor of Law at Ave Maria School of Law and a member of the Holy See Delegation, addressed this afternoon the United Nations General Assembly on the closing day of the UN High-level meeting on HIV/AIDS...

Holy See Event at the UN for the International Year of Youth

Tue, 17 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The event will furnish an opportunity for youth to discuss some of the pressing issues facing young people today, especially the need to protect and promote human life.