ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE PAUL VI
TO THE AMBASSADOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF HAITI
TO THE HOLY SEE*

Monday, 12 October 1970

Mr. Ambassador,

The kind words Your Excellency as Ambassador of Haiti to the Holy See are a source of satisfaction and hope for Us. They indicate the fruitful work and constant activity going on for the well-being of the Republic of Haiti whose people are the object of Our constant and earnest solicitude.

You know what place the Church holds in society. Her mission is not to acquire earthly power, but to announce the Good News of the Gospel. The recent ecumenical Council has shown by its authoritative teaching, particularly in the pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes how the disciples of Christ should earnestly desire to be in the front line among those who work for the construction of a just and fraternal world.

It is therefore a peaceful program, one of spiritual progress, both moral and material, which the Church wishes to promote everywhere and always, in a spirit of unselfish service, beyond all frontiers of races and ideologies, with the cooperation of all men of good will, to transform the world into a responsible community wherein each person and each social and national group is respected in an atmosphere of justice and peace. This is what We said in Our encyclical Populorum Progressio.

With these sentiments We accept the good wishes of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Haiti which you have kindly expressed, and We wish you, Mr. Ambassador, a happy mission at this Apostolic See. Expressing again Our affection for the noble people of Haiti, We invoke upon them the choicest divine Blessings.

*ORa n.43 p.5.