Pope Leo XIV said the Vatican would not remain passive in the face of global human rights abuses.
While addressing 13 new ambassadors to the Holy See on Saturday, he warned that the world had become “increasingly more fractured and conflict-prone”.
According to The New Arab, he also said that the Church had a responsibility to speak up for those facing inequality and persecution.
Introducing his remarks, the Pope said the Holy See “will not be a silent bystander to the grave disparities, injustices and fundamental human rights violations” affecting communities around the world.
He added that Vatican diplomacy was directed toward “serving the good of humanity” by listening to those in poverty or living in vulnerable situations.
During his address, Pope Leo touched on topics that he had raised in recent months following his election in May. He had spoken strongly on the treatment of migrants in the United States, calling it “extremely disrespectful”, and had used recent visits to Turkey and Lebanon to advocate for a Palestinian state.
The New Arab reported that the ambassadors welcomed by the pope included representatives from Uzbekistan, Moldova, Bahrain, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Liberia, Thailand, Lesotho, South Africa, Fiji, Micronesia, Latvia and Finland.
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