Pope receives ambassadors from Colombia and El Salvador

Pope Benedict XVI received two new ambassadors to the Holy See on Monday, from the Republic of El Salvador and Colombia. In his letter to Ambassador Manuel Roberto López Barrera from the Central American nation of El Salvador, Pope Benedict speaks of the country’s deep Christian roots and historic bonds with the Apostolic See.

The Church in El Salvador he says, “has a specific mission to promote the common good”. The Pope writes that“evangelizing and witnessing love of God and all men without exception, is an effective element for the eradication of poverty and vigorously spur men and women to combat violence, impunity and drug trafficking, which cause so much destruction, especially among young people”.

Pope Benedict also speaks of the Churches contribution to care for the sick and elderly and to the reconstruction of areas devastated by natural disasters. He says the Church wants to follow the example of her Divine Founder, by not remaining indifferent to human aspirations. She will continue to promote a fair distribution of wealth, honesty in the discharge of public functions and the independence of the courts. The Pope praises El Salvadors efforts towards peace and stability following decades of civil strife, and reaffirms that “violence achieves nothing” “Peace, however, is the longing of all men”.

In his letter to César Mauricio Velásquez Ossa, the Ambassador from Colombia, Pope Benedict begins by remarking on this years’ bicentennial commemoration of Independence and the founding of the Republic. “I am confident” he writes “that this significant anniversary will be a unique opportunity to embrace the lessons that history provides, and measures to step up efforts to consolidate security, peace, harmony and development of all its citizens and to look with serenity and enthusiasm to the future ahead.”

The Pope continues “the Church in Colombia longs only to serve the faithful” through the education of new generations, care for the sick and elderly, respect for indigenous peoples and their legitimate traditions, the eradication of poverty, drug trafficking and corruption, the care of prisoners, displaced persons, migrants and workers, and assistance to needy families”.

Pope Benedict concludes by ensuring his spiritual closeness and prayers for those in Colombia “who have been unjustly and cruelly deprived of their liberty”, for their families and victims of violence in all its forms”. And he prayed that all Colombians can live in reconciliation and peace in their blessed land, “so full of natural resources, beautiful valleys and towering mountains, rivers and picturesque landscapes, which should be preserved as a magnificent gift of the Creator”.