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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.

It is with deep sadness that we attended Pope Francis' funeral today. We gathered at his tomb, which bears only the simple inscription “Francisco,” reflecting this pope who was close to the people and loved for his humility and evangelical simplicity.

Francis will be remembered as an authentic pastor, simple but firm in his convictions, deeply attached to ordinary people and to the peripheries of the world. His commitment to universal fraternity, embodied in particular in the encyclical Fratelli Tutti, remains a powerful call for solidarity, dialogue, and peace among all peoples. We will continue our efforts in this spirit...

It was a pleasure to meet up again with FERAM and its president in Paris for a dinner debate on the Vatican's role in international relations. The evening provided a valuable opportunity to discuss with civil society their expectations for a peaceful world and to highlight the Holy See's work through its extensive network in education, humanitarian aid, and assistance to the most disadvantaged. It was a constructive dialogue that demonstrated the Vatican's moral and diplomatic influence on the international stage.

A memorable meeting at the Geneva Diplomatic Club with Mr. Lech Wałęsa, 1983 Nobel Peace Prize winner, co-founder of the Solidarność movement, and former President of the Republic of Poland from 1990 to 1995. This meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views with a major historical figure in the struggle for freedom and democracy in Eastern Europe. A lesson that resonates all the more in light of the contemporary challenges facing democracy.

We gathered at an event organized by the Diplomatic Club in Geneva, which provided a valuable opportunity to review the Agency's program and strategic directions. In the coming months, we will significantly strengthen our action in the field of sport, which we consider, along with culture, to be a diplomatic tool of the highest order. Through its ability to transcend borders, bring people together, and convey universal values of respect, fair play, and solidarity, sport is a privileged vehicle for dialogue and mutual understanding on the international stage. This dimension will be at the heart of our future initiatives and partnerships.

Today we visited the Free University of Brussels to give a lecture on the mysteries of the Vatican. It was an opportunity to talk to an audience of students about the unique place of the Holy See in the concert of nations and the specificity of this small enclave state in the heart of Rome, which is both a spiritual power and a recognized diplomatic player on the international stage.

This meeting with the students has a special symbolic significance. It should be remembered that the Free University of Brussels was founded in 1834 by Freemasons and anti-clerical liberals, precisely to counterbalance the Catholic University of Louvain and promote the principles of “free thought.”

We were invited by the Embassy to celebrate the ties between Poland and France at a reception accompanied by piano music in an iconic venue: the Hôtel de Monaco, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful hotels in Paris! The evening honored the Polish diaspora and young people living throughout Europe, who actively contribute to Poland's dynamism and make it one of the driving forces of the European economy.

We are taking advantage of a day of research at the archives of the Commission on Scholarly Communication with the People's Republic of China (CSCPRC) in Washington, D.C. to reiterate our deep commitment to understanding between nations, which can be fundamentally built through research and scientific collaboration. The history of this commission is a telling example: in the midst of the Cold War, when ideological tensions divided the world, the United States and China were able to forge lasting ties through scientific missions and academic exchanges.

This scientific diplomacy made it possible to maintain a constructive dialogue beyond political antagonisms, proving that the pursuit of knowledge and the sharing of knowledge can transcend borders and rivalries. At a time when geopolitical tensions are resurfacing, it is essential to remember that scientific cooperation remains a privileged vehicle for mutual understanding and lasting peace between peoples.