"Your Excellence comes to represent to the Holy See a country that has distinguished itself, through its history, for its Catholic identity". With these words, the Pope addressed, this morning, Juan Gomez Martinez, the new ambassador of Colombia to the Holy See. "The Colombians’ deep affection and filial devotion to the Successor of Peter" are, for Benedict XVI, "the fruit of a deeply-rooted experience of Christian faith". The Holy Father also mentioned "the substantial efforts" made by Colombia "to pursue peace and reconciliation, while also endeavouring to promote progress and sounder democratic institutions". According to the Pope, "the success achieved in increasing security and social stability, as well as in fighting poverty, is commendable". However, "we must not forget the endless concern for education, by promoting everyone’s access to school and university courses, since education is the foundation of a more humane, more sympathetic society". In addition, there are still some complex situations "in the political and social arenas". "I am aware of the challenges said Benedict XVI involved in carrying out a dialogue of peace, whish is essential despite the hurdles that can be encountered along the way". (to be continued)
