Pope delivers address to Authorities, diplomats in
Georgia
(Vatican Radio) Meeting
national authorities and members of the diplomatic corps in Tbilisi, Georgia
Friday, Pope Francis described the Caucasus nation as a “blessed land, a place
of encounter and vital exchange among cultures and civilizations” which, since
the 4th century, “discovered in Christianity its deepest identity and the solid
foundation of its values.”
The Pope was speaking at the
Presidential palace shortly after his arrival in the Georgian capital. In
his address, he recalled his meeting in the Vatican last year with President
Giorgi Margvelashvili and thanked him for the invitation to visit his country
whose values, expressed “in culture, language and traditions,” he said, place
it fully “within the bedrock of European civilization.”
Georgia, a bridge between
Europe and Asia
Describing Georgia as a
“natural bridge between Europe and Asia,” that for centuries has facilitated
“communication and relations” between peoples of diverse cultures, the Pope
observed that 25 years have passed since Georgia’s independence was
proclaimed. During that time, and “at great sacrifice,” he noted, Georgia
built and strengthened its democratic institutions seeking “to guarantee the
most inclusive and authentic development possible.”
He expressed his hope that all
sectors of society would work towards peace and development so as “to create
conditions for stability, justice and respect for the rule of law” in order to
promote “greater opportunities for all.”
Peaceful coexistence among
people, states needed for stability, development
For such enduring progress,
he said, “the peaceful coexistence among all people and states in the region”
is indispensable. “This requires increasing mutual esteem,” he stressed,
“which can never lay aside respect for the sovereign rights of every country
within the framework of international law.”
Pope Francis lamented what he
called “a dominant way of thinking” in “far too many areas of the world”
today which “hinders keeping legitimate differences and disagreements”
within a climate of “civilized,” responsible and reasoned dialogue.
This form of dialogue, he
stressed, is all the more necessary in today’s context “with no shortage
of violent extremism that manipulates and distorts civic and religious
principles, and subjugates them to… domination and death.”
Priority, the Pope said,
should be given to human beings and “every attempt made to prevent differences
from giving rise to violence.” Distinctions along ethnic, linguistic,
political or religious lines,” he stressed, must be a “source of mutual
enrichment” for the common good. This requires that everyone, he said, “make
full use of their particular identity” with the possibility “to coexist
peacefully in their homeland, or freely to return to that land if for some
reason they have been forced to leave it.”
He expressed his hope that
civil authorities “will continue to show concern for the situation of these
persons” and to find “tangible solutions” to their predicament.
In conclusion, Pope Francis
spoke of the centuries-long presence of the Catholic Church in the country and
its on-going commitment to contribute to the well-being and peace of the nation
through its charitable and institutional works and “by actively cooperating”
with the authorities and civil society.” Finally, he noted “the renewed and
strengthened dialogue with the ancient Georgian Orthodox Church and the other
religious communities” in Georgia and expressed hope that the Catholic Church
may continue to contribute to Georgian society “in common witness to the Christian
tradition which unites us.”
Below, please find the
official English translation of Pope Francis’ discourse to Georgian authorities
and members of the diplomatic corps:
Mr President,
Distinguished Authorities and
Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I thank Almighty God for granting me the opportunity to visit this blessed
land, a place of encounter and vital exchange among cultures and civilizations,
which, since the preaching of Saint Nino at the beginning of the fourth
century, discovered in Christianity its deepest identity and the solid
foundation of its values. As Saint John Paul II observed when visiting
your country: “Christianity became the seed of successive flowerings of
Georgian culture” (Address at the Arrival Ceremony, 8 November 1999), and this
seed continues to bear fruit. Recalling with gratitude our meeting in the
Vatican last year and the good relations which Georgia has always maintained
with the Holy See, I sincerely thank you, Mr President, for your gracious invitation
and for your cordial words of welcome in the name of the Authorities of the
State and all the Georgian people.
The centuries-old history of your country shows that it is rooted in the values
expressed in its culture, language and traditions. This places your
country fully and in a particular way within the bedrock of European
civilization; at the same time, as is evident from your geographical location,
Georgia is to a great extent a natural bridge between Europe and Asia, a link
that facilitates communication and relations between peoples. Through the
centuries this has facilitated commercial ties as well as dialogue and the
exchange of ideas and experiences between diverse cultures. As your national
anthem proudly proclaims: “My icon is my homeland… bright mountains and valleys
are shared with God”. The country is an icon expressing its identity and
tracing its features and history; its mountains, rising freely towards heaven,
far from being insurmountable walls, give splendour to the valleys; they
distinguish them, connect them, make each one unique yet all open to the one
sky, which covers them and offers them protection.
Mr President, twenty-five years have passed since Georgia’s independence was
proclaimed. During this period when Georgia regained its full liberty, it
built and strengthened its democratic institutions and sought ways to guarantee
the most inclusive and authentic development possible. All of this was
not without great sacrifice, which the people faced courageously in order to
ensure their longed-for freedom. I hope that the path of peace and
development will advance with the consolidated commitment of all sectors of
society, so as to create conditions for stability, justice and respect for the
rule of law, hence promoting growth and greater opportunities for all.
The peaceful coexistence
among all peoples and states in the region is the indispensable and prior
condition for such authentic and enduring progress. This requires
increasing mutual esteem and consideration, which can never lay aside respect
for the sovereign rights of every country within the framework of international
law. So as to forge paths leading to lasting peace and true cooperation,
we must recall that the relevant principles for a just and stable relationship
between states are at the service of a practical, ordered and peaceful
coexistence among nations.
Indeed, in far too many areas
of the world, there seems to be a dominant way of thinking which hinders
keeping legitimate differences and disagreements – which can always arise –
within a climate of civilized dialogue where reason, moderation and
responsibility can prevail. This is all the more necessary in the present
historical moment, with no shortage of violent extremism that manipulates and
distorts civic and religious principles, and subjugates them to the dark
designs of domination and death.
We should wholeheartedly give
priority to human beings in their actual circumstances and pursue every attempt
to prevent differences from giving rise to violence that can cause ruinous
calamity for people and for society. Far from being exploited as grounds
for turning discord into conflict and conflict into interminable tragedy,
distinctions along ethnic, linguistic, political or religious lines can and
must be for everyone a source of mutual enrichment in favour of the common
good. This requires that everyone make full use of their particular
identity, having the possibility, above all else, to coexist peacefully in
their homeland, or freely to return to that land, if for some reason they have
been forced to leave it. I hope that civil authorities will continue to
show concern for the situation of these persons, and that they will fully
commit themselves to seeking tangible solutions, in spite of any unresolved
political questions. It takes far-sightedness and courage to recognize
the authentic good of peoples, and to pursue this good with determination and
prudence. In this regard, it is essential to keep before our eyes the suffering
of others, in order to proceed with conviction along the path which, though
slow and laborious, is also captivating and freeing, and leads us towards
peace.
The Catholic Church, which
has been present for centuries in this country and has distinguished itself in
a particular way for its commitment to human promotion and to charitable works,
shares the joys and concerns of the Georgian people, and is resolved to offer
its contribution for the well-being and peace of the nation, by actively
cooperating with the authorities and civil society. It is my ardent
desire that the Catholic Church may continue to make its own authentic
contribution to the growth of Georgian society, thanks to the common witness to
the Christian tradition which unites us, its commitment to those most in need,
and the renewed and strengthened dialogue with the ancient Georgian Orthodox
Church and the other religious communities of the country.
May God bless Georgia and
give her peace and prosperity!
(Tracey McClure)
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