Pope Benedict XVI addressed the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See on Monday morning for what some call “the state of the world address.”Gathered in the Sala Regia of the Apostolic Palace, the diplomats to the Vatican heard a message that reiterated the Pontiff’s hope for a new consciousness that pursues peace in the world through the protection of creation.
The Pontiff also referred to a number of successes in reaching peaceful agreements in 2009 in various nations of the world, notably a rapprochement between Columbia and Ecuador and re-established diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey.
«I am pleased by the accord between Armenia and Turkey for the re-establishment of diplomatic relations, and I express my hope that, through dialogue, relations will improve among all the countries of the Southern Caucasus», - Holy Father said, Vatican Radio reported.
The protocols aimed at normalization of bilateral ties and opening of the border between Armenia and Turkey were signed in Zurich by Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu on October 10, 2009, after a series of diplomatic talks held through Swiss mediation.
On January 12, 2010, the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia found the protocols conformable to the country’s Organic Law.
Pope Benedict XVI (born Joseph Alois Ratzinger on 16 April 1927) is the 265th and reigning Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the head of the Catholic Church and, as such, Sovereign of the Vatican City State.
He was elected on 19 April 2005 in a papal conclave, celebrated his Papal Inauguration Mass on 24 April 2005, and took possession of his cathedral, the Basilica of St. John Lateran, on 7 May 2005.
A native of Bavaria, Pope Benedict XVI has both German and Vatican citizenship. He succeeded Pope John Paul II.
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SIC: ArNews