Archbishop Christophe Z. El-Kassis delivers first speech as Vatican's UN diplomat

Archbishop Christophe Z. El-Kassis addressed a global conference in New York on September 17, marking his first speech as the new permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations. Speaking at the Global Conference on Promoting Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue and Tolerance in Countering Hate Speech, the archbishop argued that hate speech contradicts the commandment to love one's neighbor.

He stated that hate speech poisons public discussion, increases division, and frequently leads to violence and persecution. He noted that such speech, whether targeting individuals or groups based on religion, race, or nationality, harms the human family and undermines peaceful coexistence.

The archbishop presented his credentials to UN Secretary-General António Guterres on September 16. During his address, El-Kassis reaffirmed the Holy See's position that every person possesses an inviolable dignity because they are created in the image of God, a dignity that cannot be diminished by hateful ideologies.