9 February 2009
INTERVISTA DEL CARDINALE GIOVANNI LAJOLO
PER RADIO VATICANA - PROGRAMMA INGLESE
80° Anniversario della fondazione
dello Stato della Città del Vaticano
11 febbraio 2009
Interview with Philippa Hitchen-Vatican Radio-English edition
1. We’re marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of Vatican City State: How can we justify today the existence of a sovereign state for the exercise of a spiritual authority over the world’s Catholics?
The whole purpose of the sovereign State of the Vatican City is to safeguard the Pope from political interference or pressure as he leads the Church and carries out his ministry of the Gospel which is at the service not just of Catholics, but for all of humanity.
The Vicar of Christ must be independent and free to act, without being called to account by any earthly authority but simply by God. The history of Europe especially, demonstrates how often in past centuries – and even in the 20th century – governments or regimes have tried to limit the freedom of the Pope in carrying out his mission. Even today, there are many politicians who would prefer the Pope to remain silent on those moral issues that they don’t agree with.
Vatican City State, within its tiny territory, guarantees the Pope full independence from any external political influence.
2. There is an undoubted fascination with what is often seen as the mysterious world behind the walls of Vatican City – are you keen to maintain that image or are these celebrations and the new website ways of modernising and changing this image?
In my view, this is a myth without any basis in reality.
If people are looking for information, all they need to do is look at the documentation which is freely available to everyone, such as the laws and regulations governing the Holy See and Vatican City State.
Above all else, these are the instruments that can help people understand what is behind the Vatican walls and they also offer clarification about many statements and actions that are taken by the Holy See.
Apart from that, Vatican Radio gives a vast amount of information about what is going on in the Vatican today (and I’m delighted to be able to thank all those involved for this important service which is available in some thirty-nine languages).
Then there is the Osservatore Romano which is available in six different language weekly editions, as well as the daily Italian edition. You have the Holy See website – www.vatican.va (double you, double you, double you-dot-vatican-dot-vi-ei) and the Vatican City site www.vaticanstate.va (double you, double you, double you-dot-vatican state-dot-vi-ei) and just recently the new YouTube site has been launched. Beyond all that, if someone is looking for information that is not available through any of these means, then he or she can always contact the press office or the various offices of the Holy See.
I think the celebrations of this eightieth anniversary of Vatican City State are another opportunity to discover this ‘mysterious world’ which is in fact the very straightforward and transparent world of the Vatican.
Mon.Feb.9 2009