New US ambassador hopes to work with Holy See on peace, refugees, development

October 24, 2013

Kenneth Hackett, former CEO of Catholic Relief Services and the new ambassador of the United States to the Holy See, discussed his recent presentation of diplomatic credentials to Pope Francis and what he hopes to accomplish in his office.

“Having read and heard and seen so much of what he had done, just to actually meet him was inspiring and an honor,” Hackett told Vatican Radio. “Obviously I told him why we hope we can work together on many, many issues that affect human dignity and the poor and people who are marginalized.”

Hackett continued:

I told him that I had experience in my many years (of service in human development and that I’d met) many people in the Church who’ve been courageous, intrepid. People who’ve done wonderful, wonderful things. Sometimes we hear about the negative and we don’t hear about the positive things done around the world.

We shared the fact that there are things in the world that the Holy See and the United States can come together on and particularly, peace. Obviously he talked about his prayer for peace and praying for our president … these are trying times obviously and he is quite aware of what has been done.

“International human development is something that the Holy Father has spoken about -- then he talks about the situation of refugees as well obviously,” Hackett added. “That would fall under human trafficking and the movement of people. It’s something that is of concern to my government very much. And it is an area (in which) we have collaborated with the Holy See and will continue to. And if we can do more in human development, in peace issues, I hope we can.”

 

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Further information:

• New U.S. Ambassador to Holy See Ken Hackett speaks to Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio)
• New US ambassador to Holy See presents credentials, begins blogging (CWN, 10/21)