At a time of heightened religious sensitivity, Edward Pentin looks into the work of the diplomatic service of the Holy See, outlining how it can use its unique position and vast sphere of influence for the better
… Evidence of this role was seen shortly before Easter 2007, when Iran captured 15 British military personnel who were allegedly trespassing in Iranian waters. The UK government had few options: it couldn’t rely on the UN, the EU or many of its close allies to mediate the dispute because of ongoing differences over Iran’s nuclear programme. That left the Holy See as the only viable neutral mediator. Britain’s embassy officials and high-ranking Holy See diplomats therefore persuaded Pope Benedict XVI to send a letter to Iran’s spiritual leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, appealing for the captives’ release.
The Iranian Ambassador to the Holy See, Mohammed Javad Faridzadeh, recalled in an interview that his embassy received the Pope’s letter ‘with great happiness’ and immediately sent it to Iran in acknowledgment of the ‘spiritual importance the Vatican has throughout the world.’ Hours later, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad freed the captives, calling their release an Easter ‘gift’ to Britain – phraseology almost identical to that used in the Pope’s letter, which called for an ‘Easter gesture of good will.’ …
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