Pope urges fidelity in future Vatican diplomats

(June 11, 2012) “The faithfulness proper to the Church and to the Holy See is no “blind” loyalty, for it is enlightened by our faith in the One who said: “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church.” Pope Benedict XVI made this remark on Monday to some 40 staff and students of the Pontifical Academy, the Vatican's training institute for priests who will serve at Holy See’s diplomatic missions worldwide. Meeting them at the closing of the academic year, the Pope encouraged them in the virtue of fidelity, which he said, “well expresses the unique bond existing between the Pope and his direct collaborators, both in the Roman Curia and in the Papal Representations.” After speaking about God’s faithful covenant with His people in the Bible, the Pope said “in our case, the virtue of faithfulness is profoundly linked to the supernatural gift of faith.” “Only on this foundation can we in turn be truly faithful first to God, then to his family, the Church our Mother and Teacher,” he said. “I encourage you to cultivate a personal bond with the Vicar of Christ as a part of your spirituality,” the Pope told the future diplomats. He also gratefully acknowledged the assistance that he receives every day from his many collaborators in the Roman Curia and in Papal Representations, as well as the support that he receives from the prayers of countless brothers and sisters worldwide.