c. 2005 Religion News Service

VATICAN CITY _ Pope Benedict XVI said Thursday (May 12) that living through the “devastating and inhuman ideologies” of Nazism and communism in his native Germany has made him “particularly sensitive” to the need to seek peace through dialogue.

Benedict made the unusually personal statement in his first address on international relations since his election as pope April 19. He spoke in French at an audience for diplomats accredited to the Vatican.

The address was relatively brief, little more than a page long, but it contained a warm invitation to China, Vietnam and Saudi Arabia to enter into diplomatic relations with the Vatican.

Praising the efforts of his predecessor, John Paul II, “to defend the cause of peace,” the new pope said that as a German who had lived through World War II and the Cold War, he too had a special commitment to furthering peace through dialogue.

“For my part,” Benedict said, “I come from a country where peace and fraternity are dear to the hearts of all the inhabitants, notably those who, like me, have known war and separation between brothers belonging to the same nation because of devastating and inhuman ideologies that … made the yoke of oppression weigh on men.

“You understand, therefore, that I am particularly sensitive to dialogue between all men to overcome all forms of conflicts and tensions and to make our Earth an Earth of peace and fraternity,” he said.

Benedict addressed ambassadors of the 174 countries with which the Vatican has full diplomatic relations and representatives of the European Union, Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Russian Federation and Palestine Liberation Organization.

The United States established diplomatic relations with the Holy See in 1984, but the ambassadorship is currently empty after former Ambassador Jim Nicholson resigned to become U.S. secretary of veterans affairs.

Asserting that the Catholic Church will continue to use all the means at its disposal to safeguard “the dignity of all men” and serve “the common good,” the pope said the church “does not ask any privileges for itself but only the legitimate conditions of freedom and the carrying out of its mission.”

Benedict promised the church would continue to defend “fundamental human rights” across the globe, including “life, food, a roof, employment, medical assistance, protection of the family and promotion of social development in respect for the dignity of man and woman created in the image of God.”

Expressing gratitude for messages sent to the Vatican on John Paul’s death and his own election by leaders of countries with whom the Vatican does not have relations, he said he hoped that they too would soon be represented at the Holy See.

The pope did not mention any country by name, but his invitation appeared directed to China and Vietnam, which sent messages, and to Saudi Arabia, which also was represented at John Paul’s funeral.

“From these countries, notably these in which the Catholic communities are numerous, I have received messages I particularly appreciate,” he said. “I would like to say how dear to me are these communities and all the people who belong to them, assuring them all that they are present in my prayers.”

Both China and Vietnam have sizable Catholic populations, which have suffered from government persecution. Catholics in Saudi Arabia are mainly foreign workers, and their freedom to practice their religion is severely restricted.

KRE/PH END POLK