VATICAN CITY (CNS): Pope Benedict XVI has praised Australia’s contributions to peacemaking and to development and disaster relief around the world, especially in the Asia Pacific region.
He offered the accolade in a speech to Australia’s new ambassador to the Vatican, Anne Maree Plunket, on May 18 when he welcomed her and four others as ambassadors.
In his speech to the Australian ambassador, Pope Benedict said: “The laudable resolves to work for peace on an international scale must be matched with an equal determination to attain justice at the local level”, particularly when receiving refugees and in relations with Australia’s Aborigines.
The social situation of the Aborigines, he said, “is cause for much pain” and needs ongoing attention.
The Pope also told the ambassador he was looking forward, “God willing”, to visiting Australia in 2008 to preside over World Youth Day festivities.
Ms Plunkett told the Pope the Australian Government would do its best to make the World Youth Day celebration a success, and “we look forward to the opportunity of welcoming you to Australia for that event”.
