Pope Benedict XVI’s Discourse to the Ambassador of Guatemala Mr. Alfonso Alberto Matta
Fahsen
(February 06, 2010) “The Guatemalan people, with their variety of ethnicities and
cultures, are deeply rooted faith in God, a devotion to Mary most holy beloved and
faithful love for the Pope and the Church. This corresponds to the narrow and smooth
relations Guatemala has long enjoyed with the Holy See, and has achieved special prominence
with the creation of the Vatican embassy in Guatemala,” said Pope Benedict XVI. He
was addressing the Ambassador of Guatemala to the Holy See Alfonso Alberto Matta Fahsen
on the occasion of the Presentation of Credentials to the Holy See on Saturday, February
6th in Rome. Expressing his spiritual closeness to those who suffer due
to the climate and drought, the Pontiff said that he cannot forget those who suffer
the consequences of climatic events that have contributed to increased drought conditions
and the loss of crops causing malnutrition and poverty. He expressed gratitude to
the magnanimity of donors and volunteers, as well as of all people for their efforts
and sacrifices to alleviate the pain, hunger and destitution of the people and in
particular the Church in Guatemala, pastors, religious and faithful for contributing
their service. Pope Benedict showed his appreciation to the strengthening of a genuine
rule of law. This process, he said, should be accompanied by a strong determination,
born of personal conversion of heart, to eliminate all forms of corruption in the
institutions and bring reform in public administration and justice, eliminate disrespect
to the most basic human rights. Therefore, said the Holy Father, “This task of strengthening
democracy and political stability has to be constant, and it is essential to advancing
development of a real person, which will have positive impact on every area of society,
whether economic, cultural, political, territorial or religious.”