Pope Benedict XVI met on June 9 with students from the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, which trains young clerics for service in the Vatican diplomatic corps.The Holy Father reminded the students that they are called first to be good priests, and only secondarily to be diplomatic envoys.
He said that "what is most important is that your lives and activities should reflect a faithful love for Christ and for the Church which arouses in you a friendly pastoral concern toward everyone."
"Unity with Christ is the secret of authentic success for the ministry of each priest," the Pope continued, telling the future diplomats that an active prayer life "will ensure you serenity and peace even in the most complex and difficult moments."
In the diplomatic work of the Holy See, the Pope said, "we must bear witness to the presence of God, a God Who understands man and knows how to speak to his heart."
Many representatives of the Vatican are called to bear witness "in places sometimes very far removed from the Christian experience."
The key to success in that endeavor, he repeated, is union with Christ. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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