Pope Benedict XVI 's Speaks to the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy

(May 23, 2009) “The service in the Apostolic Nunciatures can be considered to some extent, as a specific vocation to the priesthood, a pastoral ministry that involves insertion into a particular world and its problems are often very complex, both socially and politically,” said Pope Benedict XVI. He was addressing the members of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, in Rome on Saturday, 23^rd of May. The academy created in 1701, is dedicated to training priests to serve in the diplomatic corps and the Secretariat of State of the Holy See. The Pope said that members should be trained in the careful reading of the human and social realities, starting with a personal sensitivity, that every servant of the Holy See should have, and taking advantage of a specific experience to be acquired during these years. Further he added that the ability to dialogue with modernity and maintain contact with people and institutions they represent, require a robust internal structure and a spiritual strength that preserves and even better to show their Christian and clerical identity. The Holy Father then added that as the Lord himself who asks them to enter into this mission in the Church, through the call of their bishops and indicates that they are at the disposal of the Holy See, and at the service of the Lord. He instructed them that in times of darkness and inner difficulties to turn toward Christ who has filled them with love and has called them to be with him to work for his kingdom but always reminding themselves that they are "unworthy servants" happy to offer their poor contribution to the spread of the Gospel. Asking them to be people of prayer the Pontiff said that this a valuable opportunity to renew and strengthen their generous response to the Lord's call to intensify their relationship with him, in the Year Priestly, starting June 19, on the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and sanctification of priests Day .