Vatican mission to United Nations prepares for new status

Published: 2004-09-03

NEW YORK (CNS) -- The Vatican is preparing for active participation in the upcoming session of the U.N. General Assembly on the basis of a new, enhanced status voted on this summer. Formerly participating only on the authority of a 1964 letter from Secretary-General U Thant, the Vatican's permanent observer mission now has "rights and privileges" spelled out by a July 1 resolution approved by consensus of all member governments of the United Nations. Archbishop Celestino Migliore, nuncio to the United Nations, said in an interview at the mission Sept. 2 that a principal change would be the right now to participate in the "general debate" held each year in the opening days of the General Assembly. During this period, heads of state and heads of government, foreign ministers and other top officials present a broad overview of how their respective governments see the international situation and what they consider key issues facing the United Nations, the nuncio said. In the past, the Vatican has spoken on many particular issues during the course of the General Assembly session, but not in the opening, high-level period, he said.

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