Diplomacy in world affairs is the art designed to bring about whatever seems to be impossible to attain, through conducting perspicacious diplomatic approaches. Over the years, the Holy See has been adopting sagacious polices designed to bring about peace among the various nations by promoting fraternity among peoples.

Vatican Secretary for Relations with States Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher has said  that "the diplomatic action of the Holy See is not content with observing events or evaluating their significance, nor can it remain only a sort of critical voice of conscience, often even outside the chorus."

Archbishop Gallagher also pointed out that it is Pope Francis who asks the Holy See to move on the international scene to support an idea of ​​peace, which is the fruit of fair relations, and to protect fundamental human rights starting with those of the least and the most vulnerable.

With the Holy See maintaining bilateral relations with over 183 states, it seeks to manipulate policy in order to prevent conflicts and ensure post-war healing. This implies preventing the causes that can trigger a war, as well as removing the cultural, social, ethnic and religious situations that can reopen bloody wars that have ended recently.

VATICAN PEACE DIPLOMACY

Peace diplomacy has all the time been the main international activity of the Catholic Church since peace has been its priority objective.

Among the testimonies that corroborate the Catholic Church's role in community peace-building is the statement made recently by State Governor of Western Bahr El Ghazal State in South Sudan Sarah Cleto Hassan Rial who said, “We are very happy with the role of the Catholic Church in keeping our communities peaceful in this state and also in other dioceses in South Sudan.”  She added, "Towards the end of the year 2020, we hope to celebrate a colorful Christmas together with all our citizens in Wau.”

On the other hand, South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit made earlier a statement stressing that, “the government cannot do without the Church.” This assertion made by the president is a robust manifestation of the key role played by the Catholic Church and His Holiness Pope Francis in particular in the attainment of peace worldwide.

Since the onset of his papacy, Pope Francis made unstinting efforts in his quest of global peace and prosperity. He visited numerous countries in the world, held talks with world leaders, prayed for peace, and signed documents that entrench peace among the various components of societies. Among the most outstanding one is the "Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together” signed the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmad Al-Tayyib on February 4, 2019 in Abu Dhabi.

As the Catholic Church assiduously pursues its global mission in the world by helping bring about global peace and prosperity, it is to be admitted the this position goes in line with the sermon on the Mount made by Lord Jesus Christ when He said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9)