Federal Councilor Ignacio Cassis officially opened the Swiss Embassy to the Holy See in the Vatican on Wednesday. The delegation, dealing with relations with Malta and San Marino, “must enable the pursuit of fundamental common goals”.
Federal Councilor Ignacio Cassis already cut the ribbon and opened this embassy to the Holy See in May 2022, but the actual opening took place on Wednesday.
The delegation, which will also take care of relations with Malta and San Marino, “must pursue fundamental common goals,” the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) pointed out in a press release.
Mr. Cassis, according to a transcript of his speech to the Holy See, said the Swiss foreign minister is opening a new embassy, noting that Switzerland already has more than 170 representations in the world. “This is a historic moment,” writes the FDFA. The Vatican’s diplomatic network extends to more than 90 countries.
The head of the FDFA highlighted the ties that link Switzerland and the Vatican: Italian is the official language, culture and Christian values, and for more than half a millennium, the Swiss Guards serve the Pope and the Vatican.
Bald after 103 years
Ignacio Cassis is on a three-day visit to Italy and the Vatican starting Wednesday. This is an opportunity to recall some statistics. Thus, 33.7% of Swiss residents identify with Roman Catholicism, while 21.8% belong to Protestant churches.
And the Foreign Minister further clarified: “In 1597, the Apostolic Nunciature of Lucerne was one of the first to be established beyond the Alps – and the second foreign representation opened in Switzerland”. So, “Why is Switzerland not represented at the Vatican yet?” One might ask.
Ticino recalls that from 1873 to 1920, diplomatic relations with the Holy See were interrupted within the framework of the “Kulturkampf” and resumed under the instigation of Giuseppe Motta, another federal councilor from Ticino. “After 103 years, it is a great honor for me to come full circle in history by opening the Embassy,” said the FDFA President.
The representative campus is located on one floor of the office and residential building.
This article was published automatically. Source: ats
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