” “"The Church does not aim at power or demands any privileges, nor does it aspire to positions of economic or social advantage. Its only aim is to serve man", taking inspiration from "the words and example of Jesus Christ". It was said this morning by the Pope, as he received in audience the Ambassador of Italy to the Holy See, Antonio Zanardi Landi, who had gone to submit his credentials. Therefore, went on Benedict XVI, "the Church asks to be able to freely carry out its special mission, not only for the good of its congregation, but for the good of all Italians". With reference to his speech at the Verona meeting in October, the Pontiff insisted: “The Church is not and will not be a political agent. At the same time, it is deeply interested in the good of the political community, the soul of which is justice, and gives it its special contribution on two levels". In reciprocating the regards of the president of the Republic, Giorgio Napolitano, sent him by the new Ambassador, Benedict XVI expressed the wish that "the Italian people, faithful to the principles that have inspired its walk in the past, may continue, even at this time marked by vast and deep changes, to move along the way of true progress". (continued)” “
