BENEDICT XVI: TO THE NEW AMBASSADOR OF BOLIVIA, “PROMOTE DIALOGUE AND MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING”

The authorities that rule the fates of the people, as well as the persons in charge of the political, social and civilian organisations, need to be prudent and wise”, “to promote in the whole population the conditions required for dialogue and mutual understanding”: this is the wish expressed by Benedict XVI to the Bolivian people, as he received this morning the new Ambassador of Bolivia to the Holy See, Carlos Federico de la Riva Guerra, on the occasion of the presentations of his Credentials. The Pope recalled “the deep process of change” that Bolivia is experiencing, matched with “difficult and sometimes worrying situations”, with social tensions increasing in some areas of the country.

“Civil and social, political and economic rebirth " he said " always needs unselfish industriousness and generous involvement to help a population who asks for material, moral and spiritual help”. In this way, he added, “a sincere and unselfish cooperation of people and institutions helps eradicate the evils that torment the noble Bolivian population”.

Then the Pope recalled the role of the Church, i.e. “steering its congregation, by proposing it and to all society to eradicate racial hatred, revenge and retaliation” to start instead “walking the path of solidarity and mutual trust, in the respect of diversity