” ” ” “"The diplomacy of God, let me use this inconvenient phrase for the moment, is also explained the Patriarch the art of persuasion, the purpose of which is to convince every man to do what is in his interest, that is, loving God. It does not see man as an enemy that must be defeated, that is, forced to do what is in the interest of God, but as a beloved son, who must be taught to love his father. It uses arguments, promises and threats, but above all it uses humbleness, love and self-sacrifice". Then, the patriarch added: "All the so-called diplomatic actions of God to convince man to accomplish God’s will start not from an attempted imposition, but from the attempt to help men. The actions of God are incompatible with the basic content of the meaning of human diplomacy. God has no interest in the man who is in front of Him. The diplomacy of God he concluded aims at doing good for those who are close to us". The visit of the ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople in Friuli, which began yesterday, will continue until tonight. In the afternoon he will have an ecumenical meeting in the basilica of Aquileia, with the bishops of the Ancient Patriarchate. On Thursday, Bartholomew I will meet Benedict XVI in the Vatican; in the afternoon the same day, he will visit the Papal Oriental institute, in Rome, on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of its foundation.” “
