Addressing papal representatives gathered at the Vatican, Francis again spoke of the risk of a nuclear escalation. There are currently 167 diplomats working in the nunciatures around the world and the Secretary of State. Four students from the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy began the new year of missionary service, according to the Pope’s wish: a time dedicated to sharing the experience of the local Churches in the world.
Vatican City () – “Europe and the whole world are shaken by a particularly serious war, both because of the violation of international law, and because of the risks of a nuclear escalation, as well as because of the strong economic and social consequences”. Pope Francis reiterated these words today, meeting at the Vatican with the apostolic nuncios who serve in the diplomatic representations of the Holy See throughout the world.
“This is a third world war ‘in parts’, which they are witnessing in the places where they carry out their mission,” Francis added. “I thank you for everything that the pontifical representations have done and do in these situations of suffering. You have brought the closeness of the Pope to the peoples and the Churches; They have been points of reference in moments of greatest confusion and turbulence”. The pontiff then also recommended that the nuncios feel part of the path that the Church is undertaking “to make the People of God grow in the dimension of synodality ” and on the way to the Jubilee of 2025.
The meeting in the Vatican was attended by 91 apostolic nuncios and 6 permanent observers without episcopal status. Five papal representatives were unable to attend due to health or other impediments. According to data published by the Holy See press office, there are currently a total of 167 officials in diplomatic posts working in the nunciatures or in the Secretariat of State. On the other hand, four former students of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, after completing their training in Rome, have begun the year of missionary service abroad, before beginning their diplomatic activity – a wish of Pope Francis. They carry out pastoral activities in Brazil, the Philippines, Madagascar and Mexico.
This new custom was established in February 2020, when Pope Francis wrote to the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, explaining that “in order to positively face the growing challenges for the Church and the world, it is necessary that future diplomats of the Holy See also acquire – in addition to the solid priestly and pastoral formation, and the specific formation offered by the Academy – a personal experience of mission outside his diocese of origin, sharing with the missionary Churches a period of travel together with his community, participating in his evangelizing activity daily.”
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