Pope's Address to the Diplomatic Corps

The pope is a religious and secular leader suggested by remarks to the "diplomatic corps." A few thoughts in reply.

He argues that "papal diplomacy" is an interaction with the human family. Pope Leo XIV discusses its mission.

Resisting all forms of indifference, it appeals to consciences, as witnessed by the constant efforts of my venerable predecessor, ever attentive to the cry of the poor, the needy and the marginalized, as well as to contemporary challenges, ranging from the protection of creation to artificial intelligence.

The "catholic" church is universal, reaching out to the whole human family. Many religions are not as evangelistic. They at most reach out to certain groups. Their goals are often internal. Of course, how universal the Catholic Church truly is can be debated. Protestantism broke its monopoly. 

The pope "trusts" that God's providence will help guide him to promote "truth, justice and peace." The official transcript does not have a final comma. 

Conflict is a "perennial part of human nature." He argued that peace isn’t just the absence of conflict but a “gift” that requires work, from an end to the production of weapons to choosing words carefully. “For words too, not only weapons, can wound and even kill.” He promoted dialogue. 

This naturally requires full respect for religious freedom in every country, since religious experience is an essential dimension of the human person. Without it, it is difficult, if not impossible, to bring about the purification of the heart necessary for building peaceful relationships.

So far, his remarks have a progressive character. The respect for "religious freedom" does not change this. Religious liberty is a fundamental part of a liberal worldview.  

How about the belief that "religious experience" is essential? This will receive some pushback, as did his concern for "practical atheism." A broad understanding of "ultimate truths" is probably not enough in his view. He surely believes that this entails belief in the supernatural.

He then talks about "acting justly," including references to working conditions (shades of his nominal predecessor), wealth inequalities, and peaceful harmony. All fine. 

This can be achieved above all by investing in the family, founded upon the stable union between a man and a woman, “a small but genuine society, and prior to all civil society." 

Ah yes. Pope Francis respected LGBTQ people in certain respects. Nonetheless, as long as the core doctrine counts them out, how will "the dignity of every person" truly be honored? 

There is said to be a complete line from the unborn to the elderly. A narrow view of "family" harms the cause. Church critics argue they also have an integrated respect for dignity, but apply it differently.  

The term "dignity" is sometimes understood narrowly. Someone criticized my usage once because he thought it was a throwback to nobility. 

The "dignity" honored today, including in constitutional law, is more open-ended. It is the protection of equality and respect for all.  

The Catholic Church thinks abortion and euthanasia violate the dignity of life. Others speak of "death with dignity" (Brennan's dissent) and the "equal dignity" protected by abortion rights. 

Family also has a broad meaning. And, "man" and "woman" without respecting the full breadth of sex and gender is an outdated and limited view. 

He highlights his story as the descendant of immigrants. Pope Leo XIV is likely to repeatedly speak for their interests. Not James David Vance's view on that subject or on the last principle given his loyalty to Donald Trump.

I don't want to make this too political. We cannot just skip over such things, including because Leo is American. Also, diplomatic remarks will significantly involve the United States and its current leadership.  

Truly peaceful relationships cannot be built, also within the international community, apart from truth. Where words take on ambiguous and ambivalent connotations, and the virtual world, with its altered perception of reality, takes over unchecked, it is difficult to build authentic relationships, since the objective and real premises of communication are lacking.

The reference to the "virtual world" (ironically, where I first read his words) is interesting. A 21st Century concern. Language is going to be subjective on some level. It is hard in normal conversation to not use words that will have some ambiguous meanings. And, ultimately, some compromises will have to be made about the complete truth.  

He warns that sometimes the Church will use "blunt" language that might at first cause problems. Charity and "the person of Christ" among the community of believers will temper this. Community cooperation, not going it alone, is required. Leo highlights some specific challenges.

Truth, then, does not create division, but rather enables us to confront all the more resolutely the challenges of our time, such as migration, the ethical use of artificial intelligence and the protection of our beloved planet Earth. 

Again, the concern about "artificial intelligence" is interesting. I suppose not too surprising since the Catholic Church appeals to the natural order and human dignity. The dangers of artificial intelligence flow from that.  

Leo notes this is a "Jubilee Year." I put aside the mistake about the dating (Jesus was not born in Year 1) at that link. 

The concept of "Jubilee" has its origins in the Book of Leviticus (chapter 25) as a special year of reconciliation, pilgrimage, and coming home.

He highlights Ukraine and the Holy Land. He appeals to "building bridges" and ends with a blessing.