” “The ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, who will meet Benedict XVI on Thursday, received this morning at the University of Trieste a honorary degree in international and diplomatic science for the work done for the environment. For the occasion, the patriarch gave a "lectio magistralis" about "The diplomacy of God, the diplomacy of man". "The diplomacy of man said Bartholomew I , with which we are not so familiar as you are, is so it seems to us the art of persuasion, the purpose of which is to convince the people who are in front of us, both friends and enemies, to do what we like. It uses arguments, promises ad threats. It usually takes inspiration from a starting point of strength and assertion of power, no matter if declared or hidden, and moves in a space of contrast with the purpose of the rule of one over the other". (continued)” “
