US Ambassador to the Vatican Remarks on “Pathways to Achieving Human Dignity: Partnering with Faith-Based Organizations”

Remarks by Ambassador Gingrich at a Reception in honor of the Symposium: (FULL Video at Bottom)
“Pathways to Achieving Human Dignity: Partnering with Faith-Based Organizations”

Villa Richardson
Rome, Italy
October 1, 2019

Full Text: As Delivered:

Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, and friends – good evening! Newt and I are delighted to welcome you to Villa Richardson.

We’re gathered this evening to launch the U.S. – Holy See Symposium, “Pathways to Achieving Human Dignity: Partnering with Faith-Based Organizations.”

I’d like to thank His Eminence Cardinal Parolin, His Excellency Archbishop Gallagher, and the Holy See’s Secretariat of State, for their partnership and support in making this symposium possible.

I am also grateful to my colleagues from the U.S. Department of State who join us this evening, including, Mary Kissel, Senior Advisor to Secretary Pompeo; Kip Tom, our U.S. Ambassador to the UN Agencies in Rome; and Kevin Moley, our Assistant Secretary for International Organization Affairs.

Also here this evening are two of my esteemed colleagues who will speak at tomorrow’s symposium: Sam Brownback, our U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom; and John Cotton Richmond, our U.S. Ambassador-at-Large to Monitor and Combat Trafficking-in-Persons.  Thank you so much for your participation!

Finally, I’d like to thank all of our symposium panelists for being here this evening, and for lending their expertise to our program.

Tomorrow, I will have the distinct honor of introducing our Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, as he delivers opening remarks at our symposium.

Secretary Pompeo’s participation in tomorrow’s symposium illustrates the importance that the United States places on its diplomatic relationship with the Holy See.
Secretary Pompeo – like President Trump – is deeply mindful of the role the Vatican plays in addressing global challenges.

I’d like to say a few words about how and why our symposium became a reality.  As many of you know, 2019 marks the 35th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations between the United States and the Holy See.

To celebrate, we’ve hosted a number of special events this year to commemorate our anniversary.

From symposia to exhibits, to receptions, to concerts, the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See has been working hard to highlight the many ways we partner with the Vatican to advance our shared priorities and objectives.

Tomorrow’s symposium, in many ways, is the capstone to an incredible year of collaboration.  It is dedicated to promoting the role of faith-based organizations in advancing peace, freedom, and human dignity around the world.

The United States, under President Trump’s leadership, is proud of its steadfast support of faith-based organizations.

Faith-based organizations distribute aid to those in need, serve as lifelines for those experiencing unprecedented hardships, and advocate for the oppressed.

They provide humanitarian assistance and support to some of the most vulnerable people on the planet, including:  victims of religious persecution, human trafficking, and natural and man-made disasters.

It is my hope that, through our discussions tomorrow at the Vatican, we will send a clear and unified message that by partnering with faith-based organizations, we can achieve real and lasting human dignity for all.

Thank you for being here, and for your participation in our symposium.  God bless
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