We were invited to the ambassadors' dinner in Paris, organized on Turkey's initiative on the theme: “Turkey's presence in Africa.” The evening provided an opportunity for a particularly rich debate between various civil society actors, diplomats, and experts on Turkey's current strategic position on the international stage, and in particular its growing influence on the African continent.

The discussions provided an opportunity to gauge the extent of Turkish diplomacy in Africa, marked by an increasingly assertive economic, cultural, and political presence. This expansion is part of a broader geopolitical positioning strategy, making Turkey a key player at the crossroads of several major spheres of influence: the European Union, Russia, Central Asia, and Africa. This unique position gives Ankara a pivotal role in contemporary regional and international balances. It should be noted that Turkey was chosen as the destination for Leo XIV's first papal trip at the end of November, underscoring the importance of dialogue between the Holy See and this country at the crossroads of civilizations.

Today we had the pleasure of visiting the United Nations International School (UNIS), a private school located in the heart of New York City. Founded in 1947 on the initiative of the United Nations, this institution has been welcoming the children of diplomats and international staff for nearly eight decades.

UNIS provides a rigorous education based on the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, with a particular focus on language learning. French naturally occupies a prominent place as the language of diplomacy and work in international organizations. This multilingual and multicultural approach prepares young people to thrive in a globalized world and promotes harmony and understanding.

This day was dedicated to the solemn inauguration of Pope Leo XIV. We are delighted to see Francis succeeded by a man who, like Jorge Bergoglio before him, has spent many years working in Latin America with the most disadvantaged, demonstrating a profound fidelity to the Gospel lived in the service of the poor and the excluded.

His career and his commitment to the most vulnerable communities embody a continuity in the vision of a Church that is close to the peripheries, attentive to the sufferings of the world and resolutely focused on social justice. His vision powerfully reminds us that good governance, whether spiritual, political, or social, springs first and foremost from love and consideration for one's neighbor, and that no institution can claim to serve the common good without placing human dignity at the heart of its actions.