A "body in charge of protecting the legitimate interests of the members of the working community of the Holy See, so as to ensure harmony and equality, in the plurality, diversity and specificity of their jobs, while promoting the proper application of the principles of social justice": this is how the Pope defined today, as he received in audience the Vatican staff and their families, the task of the Labour Office of the Apostolic See (ULSA), in the run-up to the 20th anniversary of its foundation by John Paul II (January 1st 1989). In his speech, Benedict XVI illustrated "the peculiar task that the Labour Office of the Apostolic See is called to carry out, in the training of the staff, to enable the working community of the Holy See to work in an increasingly efficient and charitable way", pointing out in particular that "another important function that is served by your Office is that of preventing any controversy concerning the staff hired by the Apostolic See and, if needed, trying to quickly settle any such controversy, through sincere, objective talks". In addition, the Pope claimed that "the working community of the Holy See (..) makes up a unique ‘family’, whose members are bonded, as well as by functional ties, also by a shared mission, which is that of helping the Successor of Peter in his ministry at the service of the universal Church".
