The international community is present at the Holy See

People came from every nook and cranny in the world to attend the inauguration of His Holiness the new Pope, an event known in ecclesiastical language as the beginning of the Petrine Ministry of Pope Leo XIV.

What draws attention is the sublime international presence, as the Vatican received more than 200 official delegations from various countries that maintain friendly relations with the Vatican, namely the Holy See which is the name adopted in international diplomatic convention. Present as well were representatives of various religions, which also maintain relations of friendship and interfaith dialogue with various ecclesiastical institutions--particularly through cooperation with the Vatican's Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue. On the other hand, representatives of the Catholic Churches also joined the Eastern Catholic patriarchs and sister churches, particularly the Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Evangelical Churches.

It was also striking how His Holiness the Pope was moved when he put on the papal regalia and insignia, as well as the ring known as the Fisherman's Ring or the Ring of Saint Peter. With eyes welling with tears, he accepted the ring from his assistant, Cardinal Tagle, to begin his new papal term, succeeding not only the great Pope Francis, but also most of the popes of the 20^th and the 21st, with every one of whom leaving a special mark. He took the name of the first pope of the 20^th century, namely Leo XIII  as he was the founder of the Church's social teaching, and the defender of the poor and the vulnerable, as well as the advocate for equality between men and women in rights and duties. He is referred to as being the source of inspiration of Social Justice, which Pope Leo XIV spoke about at length in his homily at the first Mass, when he pointed out that his policy would always be a promoter of justice, upon which peace is naturally built.

How moving he was at the end of the Holy Mass when he made his first appeal, with Gaza taking center stage saying, "In the joy of faith and communion, we cannot forget our brothers and sisters who are suffering because of war, Children, families, and the elderly in Gaza were reduced to starvation”. This, of course, was attended by all influential figures in the international arena and representatives of major and friendly countries directly involved in ending the conflict and halting the famine.

The presence of His Highness Prince Ghazi Ibn Muhammad, personal advisor to His Majesty the King for religious affairs, was striking. This was the first meeting between Prince Ghazi and His Holiness the Pope, on behalf of His Majesty King Abdullah II, and consequently on behalf of the extended Jordanian family in the inauguration Mass of His Holiness the Pope who will undoubtedly work with His Majesty the King and Jordan to develop diplomatic and friendly relations, as well as cooperation between the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Vatican.

Congratulations to the Catholic Church for this sophisticated arrangements that took place in recent weeks, whether during the Feast of Easter, the funeral of Pope Francis, then the election of the new Pope, and the accompanying massive presence of press and media, as 6,000 journalists and media personnel from around the world were present at the inauguration Mass, which demonstrates that news from the Catholic Church continues to have its influence, presence, and impact on the international arena, not merely within Catholic communities around the world.

Going back to the Pope's first words with reference to his call to build bridges, I am sure that there will be strong bridges of relations with the members of the extended Church--which is referred to in Church vocabulary nowadays as the synodal spirit--as well as with other sister Churches especially on the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea to be marked shortly, which established the Creed adopted by all Churches, in addition to extending cooperation with all religions, supporting and upholding the standard of religious dialogue to higher levels, as well as diplomatic and humanitarian cooperation with countries and organizations that enjoy diplomatic relations with the Holy See. As the choir has chanted in Greek, we say to His Holiness the new Pope, happy returns of the day.

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