Vatican representative presents credentials to Cyprus President

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Cyprus to co-host Interfaith dialogue in Malaysia

The new representative of the Vatican in Cyprus and Jerusalem, the Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See, Archbishop Antonio Franco, presented his credentials to President Tassos Papadopoulos on Monday.

Archbishop Franco, who is stationed in Jerusalem, said Cyprus’ .

“search for peace through dialogue and negotiations” is well known and wished Cyprus success in her efforts.

Archbishop Antonio Franco noted that Cyprus was one of the lands touched by Saint Paul in his first missionary trip outside Palestine.

“On this Land there is the tomb of St. Barnabas, one of the earliest heralds of the Gospel, native of the place and companion of Saint Paul,” he said.

St Paul’s visit to Cyprus, and his subsequent whipping in Paphos, is noted in the Acts of the Apostles.

President Papadopoulos said that the Republic of Cyprus and the Holy See have “a long history of friendly bilateral relations and cooperation.”

The Latin (Roman Catholic) community of Cyprus and the Maronites, who are in communion with Rome, are both recognised religious minorities in Cyprus along with the Armenians.

President Papadopoulos said “throughout the centuries we have had our own valuable contribution in fostering and enriching the European civilization, and we persistently continue up to the present day to demonstrate our strong adherence to the humanistic values of freedom, peace and democracy.”

Interfaith Dialogue meeting in Malaysia

The President also announced that Cyprus will co-host with Malaysia on July 2nd ASEM (Asian-Europe Meeting) Interfaith Dialogue.

“This initiative constitutes a significant contribution and a fair response to the anachronistic voices of prejudice, intolerance and bigotry” …”the main message of the Interfaith Dialogue Forum is the promotion of mutual understanding, tolerance and peaceful coexistence,” he said.