Papal thanks for Vatican security officials
January 14, 2013
Pope Benedict XVI met with Vatican and Italian security officials in separate audiences on January 13 and 14, offering them his thanks for their work.
On January 13, the Pontiff met with the members of the Vatican Gendarmerie and Fire Department, and told them of “my appreciation, my heartfelt encouragement, and mostly my deep gratitude for the generous work you carry out discretely, competently, efficiently, and not without sacrifice.” He continued:
Almost every day I have the opportunity to meet some of you in your various places of work and to personally witness your professionalism in collaborating on and guaranteeing the Pope’s surveillance as well as the necessary safety and order of those who reside in the state and those who take part in the celebrations and events that take place in the Vatican.
The Pope encouraged the members of the Vatican police force and firefighters to see in each visitor to the Vatican “the face of a brother or sister whom God has placed on your path,” treating all with courtesy and professionalism.
On January 14 the Pope met with members of the General Inspectorate of Public Safety in the Vatican. Again he thanked these officials for the service they provide to all those who “arrive from all over the world to meet the successor of Peter and to visit the tomb of the Prince of the Apostles.” Noting that these officials also provide security services for papal trips within Italy, he said that their service “attests to the good relations between Italy and the Holy See."
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Further information:
- Pope Receives Corps of Vatican Gendarmerie and Fire Department (VIS)
- Benedict XVI Praises Work of Vatican’s Public Safety Inspectorate (VIS)
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