Holy See Mission

to the United Nations in Geneva

WELCOME TO THE HOLY SEE MISSION

Historical introduction

to the Multilateral Activities of the Holy See

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The bilateral diplomacy of the Holy See is rooted in distant history. From the earliest centuries of the existence of the Church, even before the birth of modern Nation-States, the Holy See has made use of special envoys, and eventually of Nunciatures or embassies. On the part of the Holy See, the discernment and interest to be engaged in international organizations started after World War I. At that time, States such as Germany requested that the Holy See consider its possible participation in the League of Nations Conference. Subsequently, support was given for the employment of a priest advisor at the International Labour Organization (ILO); such an appointment was first made in 1926 by then Director General Albert Thomas. It was Pope Pius XII, however, who formulated an organic doctrine of the Church’s involvement in international life. In his speeches, most especially in the Allocution of 24 December 1939, “The pacific coexistence of peoples,” and in his Radio Messages, he outlined the essential characteristics for developing the future international order. It seemed logical, therefore, that informal contacts with the new United Nations organizations should begin immediately after the founding of the organization in 1945, and indeed they began on the two issues of refugees and of the holy sites in Palestine.

Archpriest Emeritus of St. Peter's Basilica Dies

Cardinal Francesco Marchisano has died at the age of 85. The long-serving prelate passed away at around 10 a.m. Sunday in Urbe, northern Italy. His funeral will be this Wednesday at 8 a.m. in the Vatican basilica. It will be presided by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals, and the Holy Fath...

Pope to Caserta's Priests: Creativity and Unity Is Needed

To face contemporary challenges, priests need creativity, says Pope Francis. Upon arriving in the southern Italian city of Caserta on Saturday afternoon, Francis told priests who had awaited his arrival in the city’s Palatine Chapel they must possess creativity in their vocation to overcome today’s contemporary c...

Pope Surprises on Private Visit to Caserta

Pope Francis has met privately with Evangelical pastor and friend Rev. Giovanni Traettino in Caserta, southern Italy. After the private visit this morning with the friend he’s known since early ministry in Buenos Aires, the Pope surprisingly met with the Community of the Pentecostal Church of Reconciliation -- wh...

Pope Gives New Interview Marking 500 Days of Pontificate

In a new interview, given to mark the first 500 days of his pontificate, Pope Francis has reminisced about his youth, discussed immigration and gives a ten point plan for happiness. The first excerpts of the interview appeared as a feature article on Sunday in the Argentine magazine “Viva”, a supplement of the ne...

Vatican Official on Visit to California Says Latin Church Must Support Eastern Churches Facing Violence

In a visit to the U.S., the prefect of the Congregation for Eastern Churches called the immigration into the East resulting from the current Middle Eastern conflict a pastoral challenge of “historic proportions.” Presiding at the Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral of St. Paul the Apostle of the Chaldeans in San Dieg...

Pope's 2015 Philadelphia Visit Still to Be Confirmed

Despite reports to the contrary, Pope Francis' 2015 visit to Philadelphia has not yet been confirmed. Responding to journalists' inquiries about the possible participation of the Pope in the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia in September 2015, Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi said the invitation re...

British Government Accused of Laying Foundation for Rise of Extremism in Iraq

The UK head of a Catholic charity has hit out at the British Government for helping “to lay the foundations” for the rise of extremists in Iraq who have flushed out the last remaining Christians from Mosul after 1,600 years. Neville Kyrke-Smith, national director of Aid to the Church in Need (UK), said the UK’s r...

Pope's Telegram on Death of Cardinal Marchisano

Below is the telegram Pope Francis sent today expressing his condolences on the death of Cardinal Francesco Marchisano, archpriest emeritus of St. Peter's basilica. *** Your Excellency Msgr. Cesare Nosiglia Archbishop of Turin Via Della Torre 3 10149 Turin I learned the news of the death of Cardinal Fra...

Communique From Family of Italian Jesuit Who Disappeared in Syria a Year Ago

The family of Fr. Paolo Dell'Oglio, the Italian Jesuit priest of whom there has been no news for a year following his disappearance in the Syrian city of Raqqa, today issued the following communique: *** One year has already passed since we last knew of our son and brother Paolo, priest, Jesuit, Italian, who di...

Daily Homily: Jesus Told Martha, 'Whoever Believes in Me Will Live'

-- 1 John 4:7-16 Psalm 34:2-3,4-5,6-7,8-9,10-11 John 11:19-27 According to the Roman Martyrology, not only do we celebrate today the memorial of Saint Martha, but we also commemorate her sister, Saint Mary of Bethany, and her brother, Saint Lazarus of Bethany. Saint Luke introduces us to Martha and Mary as ...

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