The new embassy of Haiti to the Holy See, inaugurated Sunday near the Vatican walls, marks a deepening of diplomatic ties amid ongoing political crisis in the Caribbean nation.<\/p>\n
Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aim\u00e9 discussed peace and strengthening relations with the Holy See in Rome over the weekend. The head of the transitional government was received by Pope Leo XIV on Saturday and then spoke with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations.<\/p>\n
In a brief conversation with EWTN News, Parolin revealed that \u201cwe also talked about concrete initiatives regarding peace\u201d with the prime minister, such as a conference on peace in Haiti, but \u201cthere is nothing in particular at the moment.\u201d The secretary of state acknowledged that the local Church \u201cis certainly active, helps, and contributes\u201d on the ground.<\/p>\n
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state (center); Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aim\u00e9 (right); and Cypriot Ambassador to the Holy See Georges Poulides, dean of the Diplomatic Corps (left), after the Mass for peace in Haiti at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome on Saturday, May 9, 2026. | Credit: Bohumil Petr\u00edk\/EWTN News<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring the cordial talks,\u201d the Holy See Press Office said in a release, both sides appreciated \u201cgood relations,\u201d stressing the \u201cvaluable contribution that the Church offers to the country at this particular time.\u201d<\/p>\n
They touched upon \u201cthe socio-political situation and problems in the humanitarian field, migration, and security fields\u201d while mentioning \u201cthe necessary contribution of the international community to face current difficulties,\u201d the communiqu\u00e9 concluded.<\/p>\n
Haiti is experiencing a multidimensional crisis. The country was struck by a devastating earthquake in 2010 and a subsequent cholera outbreak. In 2021, President Jovenel Mo\u00efse was assassinated, and the security and political situation deteriorated. Armed gangs control large parts of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and there have not been general elections for a decade. The next general elections are scheduled for Aug. 30.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to organize elections, ensure security, and move from receiving humanitarian aid to entering the commerce and market,\u201d the prime minister said after the Mass for peace in Haiti, presided over by Parolin in the Basilica of St. Mary Major following the audience at the Vatican.<\/p>\n
Fils-Aim\u00e9 added that the audience with Pope Leo \u201cwas very emotional.\u201d He appreciated \u201cthe exceptional relation with the Holy See,\u201d highlighting that \u201cthe morale of the Catholic Church\u201d is a \u201cpositive\u201d factor in Haitian society.<\/p>\n
\u201cLooking at the current international situation,\u201d Parolin said in his homily, \u201cwe can all recognize how much our world needs God\u02bcs presence and, therefore, the gift of peace.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cardinal Pietro Parolin gives the homily at the Mass for peace in Haiti at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome on Saturday, May 9, 2026. | Credit: Bohumil Petr\u00edk\/EWTN News<\/p>\n
The Vatican\u02bcs secretary of state said that \u201cpeace is the first gift of the Resurrected\u201d and so \u201cwe are called to bring Christ\u02bcs peace to the world.\u201d Quoting St. Augustine, the prelate underscored that \u201cpeace is not a mere absence of war, as it has a profound significance and challenges all of us.\u201d<\/p>\n
He ended his homily with the hope that \u201cpeace may reign in Haiti forever.\u201d<\/p>\n
New embassy inaugurated near the Vatican walls<\/p>\n
On Sunday, May 10, the prime minister and Foreign Affairs and Religious Affairs Minister Raina Forbin inaugurated the new seat of the embassy of Haiti to the Holy See, located just off the Vatican walls.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is not just a simple change of address,\u201d said the embassy\u02bcs charg\u00e9 d\u02bcaffaires, Marie Guerline Janvier, adding that it shows \u201ca political will to strengthen traditional and privileged relations with the Holy See.\u201d<\/p>\n
In this way, Haiti hopes to increase its visibility at the Holy See and to facilitate dialogue and collaboration.<\/p>\n
Denne artikel blev oprindeligt udgivet af EWTN News English.<\/p>\n