STATEMENT*

Ambassador FRANCIS ROONEY

U.S. EMBASSY TO THE HOLY SEE

Fiumicino Airport, Cerimoniale
Rome, Italy
October 23, 2005

Good morning. It’s a great pleasure for Kathleen and me to be here as I prepare to present my credentials to His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, as the seventh U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See. President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice have honored me with a great responsibility to represent them and my country. Both Kathleen and I are looking forward to getting down to work, and also to living in Rome.

To be the Ambassador to the Holy See is an important undertaking, because at the core of the diplomatic relationship between the United States and the Holy See lies a common vision and task - to promote and defend the dignity of every man, woman and child. The United States is committed to the vigorous defense of human rights, the promotion of religious freedom, and the advancement of dialogue and tolerance among people of different faiths and cultures. We seek true freedom and economic opportunity for all. As the U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, it will be my role and privilege to advance our historic collaboration with the Holy See in pursuing these noble goals.

I come here with a deep pride in America and its people, and a firm desire to work with the Holy See on some of the most pressing global issues of our time. Our 21-year strong diplomatic relationship has done much to spread freedom, democracy and human rights around the globe. There is still much to be done to make our world a better place. As I told President Bush before leaving, I will do all within my power to see that our relationship with the Holy See is enhanced and enriched.

In conclusion, I would like to extend a word of thanks to representatives from the Vatican, the Airport Cerimoniale, the Airport police, and to the media for coming out so early on a Sunday morning to greet us.

Again, Kathleen and I are very pleased to be here. Buona domenica a tutti. Grazie.

 Contact: Amy Roth Turnley

Public Affairs Coordinator

06/4674-3433, 335-660-3564,
RothTurnleyAE@state.gov

*As prepared for delivery.