"No Government can abstain from guaranteeing its citizens proper conditions of freedom". This was asked today by the Pope as he received in the Vatican the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See. "Unfortunately said the Pope- in some countries, even those that can boast centuries-old cultural traditions, instead of being guaranteed it is actually seriously infringed, especially for minorities. In this connection, I would only like to recall what is very clearly laid down by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Man’s fundamental rights are the same at all latitudes; and pride of place should be given to the right of free religion, because it concerns the most important human relation, the relation with God. To all the people responsible for life in every country, I would like to say: if you do not fear truth, you cannot fear freedom! In asking for conditions of real freedom for the Catholic Church everywhere, the Holy See asks them for everyone, on exactly the same terms".
