ADDRESS OF PAUL VI
TO THE FIRST AMBASSADOR OF THAILAND
TO THE HOLY SEE*

Thursday, 18 February 1971

Mr Ambassador,

As you solemnly inaugurate your mission as your country’s first Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Holy See, We assure you of Our heartfelt good wishes for your person and for the performance of your important task of promoting ever greater understanding and cooperation between the Kingdom of Thailand and the Holy See.

We therefore extend to you a cordial welcome and receive with pleasure your Letters of Credence from His Majesty the King of Thailand.

It is the sincere wish of the Church to play its full part in fostering the well-being of a people whose very name recalls their proud heritage of freedom. We have no doubt that the Catholics of Thailand show no less diligence than their fellow citizens in working for the good of their native land. The diplomatic links now happily established between the Holy See and your country’s Government are but an outward seal on the earnest desire of the members of the Catholic Church in Thailand to collaborate in furthering the welfare of all.

We would ask you to convey to your noble Sovereign Our best wishes for his happiness. We express the hope and desire that Thailand will enjoy ever increasing progress and prosperity and be blessed with tranquillity and peace.

For yourself, Mr Ambassador, rest assured that, in fulfilling your high mission, you will receive from us all the understanding, benevolence and assistance merited by so worthy a representative of so beloved a nation.

*AAS 63 (1971), p.217;

Insegnamenti di Paolo VI, vol. IX, p.116;

L’Attività della Santa Sede 1971, p.71-72;

OR 19.2.1971 p.1;

ORa n.9 p.2.