"The apostolic and diplomatic work, at the service of the Holy See, which you will perform wherever you will be sent requires skills that cannot be made up: so, do treasure this time of your training, so that then you will be able to appropriately face any situation": this was said today in the Vatican by Pope Benedict XVI, as he received in audience the priests studying at Pontificia Accademia Ecclesiastica, the academy that for over 300 years has trained the presbyters who will become members of the diplomatic corps of the Holy See. In his speech, the Pope underlined the richness of diplomatic work, stating: "In your daily work, you will come into contact with ecclesiastic realities that need to be understood and supported; you will often live far from your homeland, in countries that you will learn to know and love; you will have to approach the world of bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, and be ready to offer not just the contribution of your diplomatic experience but also, and above all, your priestly testimony. That’s why, as well as necessary, due legal, theological and diplomatic training, what matters most is that you inspire your life and your work to a love that is faithful to Christ and the Church, that will arouse in you a welcoming pastoral care for everyone". (continued)
