VATICAN CITY, NOV 15, 2004 (VIS) - The Holy
Father this morning received the Letters of Credence of Albert Edward Ismail
Yelda, the ambassador from the Republic of Iraq to the Holy See: He told him he
had been following events in Iraq through the presence of the apostolic nuncio
and he asked the ambassador to assure the Iraqi people "of my ongoing
concern for the many victims of terrorism and violence."
"Your ancient culture has been described as the 'cradle of civilization'
and has boasted the presence of Christians since the beginning of Christianity
itself," said the Pope in English. "Indeed, it has been a fine example
of the many ways in which the adherents of different religions can live in peace
and harmony."
He told the ambassador - who speaks Arabic, English, Assyrian, Aramaic and
Hebrew - that essential to protecting the dignity of every human person, to
which the diplomat had referred in his address, "is the rule of law as an
integral element of government. Preserving this fundamental principle is basic
for any modern society that truly seeks to safeguard and promote the common
good. ... It is my hope that the Iraqi people will continue to promote their
long tradition of tolerance, always recognizing the right to freedom of worship
and religious instruction. Once these fundamental rights are protected by
ordinary legislation and become an enduring part of the living fabric of
society, they will enable all citizens, regardless of religious belief or
affiliation, to make their proper contribution to the building up of Iraq."
John Paul II assured the ambassador that "the entire Catholic Church,
and in a special way the Chaldean Christians present in your country since the
time of the Apostles, is committed to assisting your people in constructing a
more peaceful and stable nation."
"Iraq is currently in the throes of the difficult process of transition
from a totalitarian regime to the formation of a democratic State in which the
dignity of each person is respected and all citizens enjoy equal rights,"
noted the Pope. "As you prepare your people to undertake the task of freely
electing the men and women who will lead the Iraq of tomorrow, I encourage the
current government in its efforts to make certain that these elections are fair
and transparent giving all eligible citizens an equal opportunity in this
democratic right which they are encouraged to exercise."
The Holy Father, noting "the struggle to overcome the challenges brought
about by poverty, unemployment and violence currently faced by Iraq, said:
"May your government work untiringly to settle disputes and conflicts
through dialogue and negotiation, having recourse to military force only as a
last resort."
"Accordingly," he concluded, "it is essential that the State,
with the assistance of the international community, promote mutual understanding
and tolerance among its various ethnic and religious groups" to
"create an environment ... committed to justice and peace" and
"capable of sustaining the necessary economic growth and development
integral for the well-being of your citizens and the country itself."
Diplomatic relations were established between the Holy See and Iraq on August
27, 1966. The apostolic nunziature was opened on October 14 that same year.