New statutes: Apostolic nuncios to be closer to the world

Pope Francis has modernised the structure of the three-hundred-year-old Pontifical Academy of Diplomacy. As the Holy See Press Office announced on Tuesday, the Pope approved the new statutes entitled "Il Ministero petrino" ("The Petrine Ministry") "in forma specifica" on 25 March. In future, papal ambassadors are to be trained in a more contemporary way.

Specifically, the document states that the Pontifical Diplomatic Academy, also known as the "School of Nuncios", will be reformed as an "ad instar Facultatis" institute for studies. From now on, academic degrees such as licentiateships and doctorates can be obtained there - in law, history, political science, economics and various languages. Francis also decreed that the Pontifical Academy of Diplomacy will be incorporated into the remit and structure of the Secretariat of State.

Parolin: Reform is more than just an academic update

Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin told the Vatican's own medium "vaticannews.va": "This reform is far more than an academic update." It is important for the Pope to emphasise that it is not enough to simply acquire specialist knowledge. "The future diplomats of the Church should develop a lifestyle and a work ethic that will enable them to deeply understand complex international relations and act as credible witnesses to the Gospel in them," said Parolin.

The papal document states that Vatican diplomats who already have a theological education must be "adequately prepared for their mission according to the demands of the times". This is not only a matter of academic and scientific training at a high level, but also of "ensuring that their actions are ecclesial actions that must face up to the necessary confrontation with the reality of our world".

It goes on to say that, especially in a time of constant change in science and technology, diplomats must constantly endeavour to obtain a solid and continuous education. "It is not enough to limit oneself to the acquisition of theoretical knowledge, but it is necessary to develop a way of working and a lifestyle that allows him to thoroughly understand the dynamics of international relations and to be recognised in the interpretation of the objectives and difficulties that an increasingly synodal Church must tackle," the new provisions state. "In this context, qualities such as the capacity for closeness, attentive listening, witness, fraternity and dialogue prove to be fundamental." (KNA)