Presentation of the letter of Credentials by the Ambassador of Czscoslovakia

(September 27, 2008) Hope is indeed the timeless message which the Church offers to every generation, and it prompts her to participate in the global task of forging bonds of peace and goodwill among all peoples, said Pope Benedict XVI. He was speaking at the ceremony of the presentation of credentials by Mr Pavel Vosalik, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the Holy Father, in Rome on Saturday, 27^th September. The Pope appreciated the emphasis his country has placed on the influence of Christianity on the rich cultural heritage of his nation and appreciated the solidarity of the country that enabled her to emerge courageously from the collapse of totalitarianism, as also to contribute to the welfare of the human family by enhancing international cooperation in the struggle against violence, hunger, poverty and other social ills. He expressed his confidence in the Czech Republic, in its presiding over the Council for a six-month term will permit the Czech Republic to exercise strong leadership in the shared endeavour of combining unity and diversity, national sovereignty and joint activity, and economic progress and social justice across the continent. The Pope then said that he was very confident that the special Commissions set up by the Government and Parliament for resolving outstanding issues regarding ecclesiastical property will move forward with honesty, fairness, and a genuine recognition of the Church’s ability to contribute to the welfare of the Republic. The church’s visible charity shines through the work of Caritas, whose members engage daily in a wide range of social services in his country. This is especially evident in the service it offers on behalf of expectant mothers, the homeless, the disabled, and the imprisoned, he said. The Pope then expressed his sincere condolences to the Ambassador and the fellow citizens upon the tragic death of Mr Ivo Žd’árek, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Pakistan, who was among the victims killed in the recent attack in Islamabad. He said that he prays daily for an end to such acts of aggression,