The Unofficial British Royal Family Pages

17 Oct 2000 - Address presented by The Queen to His Holiness The Pope at The Vatican

Your Holiness,

It gives me very great pleasure on behalf of Prince Philip and myself to deliver this message to you of friendship and goodwill. We both recall the warm welcome we received from you on our last visit to the Vatican, exactly twenty years ago today, and we remember too our pleasure in welcoming you to Buckingham Palace when you came to Britain in 1982. Our visit today has particular significance, because it takes place in this year of the Great Jubilee.

One of the themes you have set for this Jubilee year is reconciliation between different cultures and faith communities. In a Christian context I am pleased to note the important progress that has been made in overcoming historic differences between Anglicans and Roman Catholics - as exemplified in particular by the meeting of Anglican and Roman Catholic bishops in Canada this year. I trust that we shall continue to advance along the path which leads to Christian unity.

Religion may sometimes be a source of division, but it can also be a powerful source of healing. In the United Kingdom, there has been progress towards peace between the two communities in Northern Ireland. We are most grateful for your help and support for this process. Many share a sense of real hope now, although there is so much still to do.

Your Holiness, you are spiritual leader of some one billion Roman Catholics. This includes some of the richest and many of the poorest people of the world. You have made alleviation of poverty a particular focus for Jubilee Year. As Head of the Commonwealth of fifty-four independent nations I welcome and admire your personal commitment to this cause. For my government, helping the world's poor is a major priority, and we are actively supporting faster debt
relief for the most heavily indebted countries, many of them in Africa. I pray for continued strength and determination by everyone to achieve this important goal.

The new Millennium reminds us all how Christianity has shaped so much of our world. As Christians of the twenty first century we are called anew to follow our Lord's teaching and, by standing with those in suffering, need and distress, to build a world more worthy of its Creator.

Your Holiness, Prince Philip and I are delighted to have the opportunity of returning to the Vatican, and of meeting you again. May we thank you for the warmth of your welcome, and wish you peace and happiness as we enter together this new Christian Millennium.