Eternal Sunshine of the Holy See
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon walks
with Pope Francis during a meeting at
the Vatican April 9, 2013
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Doctor of Political Science, Professor of the Diplomacy Department of the MGIMO University
It is well known that, through the Holy See, the Catholic Church is the only religious institute that maintains diplomatic relations with states, members of the international community. There are three main factors that determine the Vatican’s role in global politics: the historical conditions that led to the formation of the Papal States; the cumulative experience of relations with secular rulers; and the theological interpretation of political life.
It is well known that, through the Holy See, the Catholic Church is the only religious institute that maintains diplomatic relations with states, members of the international community. There are three main factors that determine the Vatican’s role in global politics: the historical conditions that led to the formation of the Papal States; the cumulative experience of relations with secular rulers; and the theological interpretation of political life. Papal diplomacy is based on the provisions of public canon law. Specifically, this deals with the relationship between the Catholic Church as an independent community on the one hand, and the state on the other. This part of canon law is consistent with international law in the sense that it codifies the relationship between two sovereign entities, each of which recognizes the autonomy and independence of the other in their respective spheres.
It is no coincidence that a number of popes had diplomatic experience and were knowledgeable about international politics before they were elected. In recent years, the diplomatic activity of the Holy See has increased dramatically. The Vatican’s calls for active participation in the international community’s efforts to protect human rights and social justice and carry out significant peacekeeping and humanitarian missions have become louder and louder. Representative of the Holy See are active participants in international meetings, conferences and congresses. The Vatican has its own diplomatic representatives or observers in numerous international organizations, including the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Food and Agriculture Organization, UNESCO, the Council of Europe, the European Union, etc., and works closely with a number of non-governmental organizations. At the time of writing, the Holy See maintains diplomatic relations with 180 states.
Pope Tawadros II and Pope Francis
The main thrust of Holy See diplomacy is directed towards the protection, preservation and restoration of peace as a universal value. Its documents state that war “breaks the lives of innocent people, teaches people to kill and maim, leaves an atmosphere of hatred and bitterness, making it even more difficult to find a fair resolution to the conflicts that provoked war in the first place.” [1] Nationalism and xenophobia are also subject to condemnation. In a recent statement, the Bishops Conferences European Justice and Peace Commission said, “Pride and national interest are far more genuine as part of a broader perspective on the common good of the global community.” The concept of dialogue as a respect for the life and dignity of every human being is regarded as a foundation of the peacekeeping diplomatic art. Vatican diplomacy considers all possible forms of the negotiating process, mediation and arbitration as the instruments of dialogue. This should ensure that agreements prevail over hatred and differences in opinion. Mediation and bold and decisive initiatives aimed at reconciling seemingly irresolvable problems are encouraged.
Recently, Pope Francis has gained a reputation for being a “missionary politician”, actively travelling to various countries and delivering messages to the people and their leaders. His work receives support even from those religious organizations that for years refused to communicate with the Vatican. For example, for the first time in 40 years the incumbent Primate of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, Pope Tawadros II, visited the Vatican. He proposed that the day of their meeting, May 10, be celebrated as a day of “brotherly love between Copts and Catholics”. There has been a rapprochement between the Vatican and the Christian churches of Syria and Iraq, whose members suffer deprivation at the hands of terrorist groups. Lebanon, which is experiencing great difficulties as a result of the influx of refugees from Syria, also maintains a dialogue with the Vatican.
Pope Francis has paid special attention to Asian countries, visiting South Korea, the Philippines and Sri Lanka. In 2015, the Catholic Theological University is set to open in Vietnam, a country where seven million Catholics live. The Vatican is also hoping to develop relations with China. Diplomatic relations between the two states do not currently exist, although around nine million native Chinese people call themselves Catholics. Despite the significant differences in opinion (the majority of Chinese Catholics do not recognize the primacy of the Roman Pontiff, the difficulties associated with the Vatican’s recognition of Taiwan), recent years have seen an agreement reached on cooperation in electing bishops in the pro-government Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association. Hong Kong and the Philippines are acting as mediators in the dialogue between the Vatican and China.
The Holy See has also turned its attention to Latin America. The Vatican has acted as a mediator in attempts to restore diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba. Pope Francis’ visit to Brazil in July 2013 for International Youth Day received much media attention. In late March 2014, the Pope’s call to open discussions in Venezuela on national reconciliation (which was suggested by President Nicolás Maduro) was answered in the affirmative by both sides. The declaration of Archbishop of San Salvador Óscar Romero, who was assassinated by members of Salvadoran death squads, as a martyr has paved the way for possible changes in the position of Vatican conservatives with regard to “Liberation Theology”.
The Pope has made a number of appeals in relation to the armed conflict in Ukraine. A discussion about the Ukrainian crisis was discussed at a third meeting between Pope Francis and Angela Merkel at the Vatican.
During his February audience at the Vatican, Pope Francis, condemning what he believes to be Russia’s violation of international law, called for efforts, including at the international level, to resume dialogue, the only way to restore peace and harmony to Ukraine. “When I hear the words “victory” or “defeat” I feel a great sorrow and great sadness. These are not the right words, the only right word is peace”.
1. Cit. ex. Zonova, T.V. Vatican Diplomacy in the Context of the Evolution of the European Political System. Moscow: ROSSPEN, 2000, p. 167.
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