Pope Benedict XVI welcomes the Ambassador of Portugal
(October 22, 2010) Pope Benedict XVI in his discourse said that faith and history
have come together to forge a special bond between the Portuguese people and the Successor
of Peter, a bond that is entrusted to the responsibility of each of the successive
generations, by which we should never stop giving thanks to the Good Shepherd for
the Church, peoples and nations. He was addressing the new Ambassador of Portugal
to the Holy See Mr. Manuel Tomás Fernandes Pereira, at a formal function at the Vatican
during the presentation of Credentials. The Pope then recalled the pleasant memory
of his visit to Portugal last May and wished to thank again for all the contribution
towards a peaceful and successful completion of the pilgrimage as indicated by the
numerous messages that had reached him regarding the same. He added that he will
never forget the warmth of welcome specially reserved to him, as well as gentle and
respectful way in which his words were received. The Pope then said that at the international
level the Holy See puts all possible efforts in serving the cause of promoting integral
human development of peoples and Portugal will have to give an important place for
such values, without which a society can not be established in a lasting effective
way. The Pontiff then said that a fair understanding and respectful collaboration
between the Church and civil power can only provide benefits for the Portuguese society.
He reminded then of the new concordat between the Holy See and Portugal established
six years previously, which could foster a greater understanding between the State
officials and priests of Church for the common good of the Nation and complimented
on the faithful application of the same in the various areas of the Church and Portuguese
society.