Pope Benedict XVI received Letters of Credence from Austria’s new Ambassador to the
Holy See, Alfons Kloss on Thursday. Trained as a lawyer, Alfons Kloss is a career
diplomat, and father of three children who has served in India, Finland, Germany and
Italy, as well as in key Foreign Ministry positions at home.
Pope Benedict
XVI welcomed him with a ceremony at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican.
In
his remarks to the new ambassador, the Holy Father reflected on his own fond memories
of Austria, and praised Austria’ deep roots of Catholic faith, especially Marian devotion.
He
also discussed the importance of religious liberty as a key to ordered liberty, and
reflected on the need for family policy to be grounded in a proper understanding of
the human person, saying, “Marriage and the family require the special protection
of the state,” which also has a duty to protect all innocent human life from conception
to natural death.
Pope Benedict went on to discuss the future of Europe, saying
that a “common European House” can only succeed if the continent’s Christian foundation
is respected.