Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale632

Sixty-five years ago, Britain played an essential role in forging the post-

war international consensus which favoured the establishment of the United

Nations and ushered in a hitherto unknown period of peace and prosperity in

Europe. In more recent years, the international community has followed

closely events in Northern Ireland which have led to the signing of the Good

Friday Agreement and the devolution of powers to the Northern Ireland

Assembly. Your Majesty's Government and the Government of Ireland, to-

gether with the political, religious and civil leaders of Northern Ireland, have

helped give birth to a peaceful resolution of the conflict there. I encourage

everyone involved to continue to walk courageously together on the path

marked out for them towards a just and lasting peace.

Looking abroad, the United Kingdom remains a key figure politically and

economically on the international stage. Your Government and people are

the shapers of ideas that still have an impact far beyond the British Isles.

This places upon them a particular duty to act wisely for the common good.

Similarly, because their opinions reach such a wide audience, the British

media have a graver responsibility than most and a greater opportunity to

promote the peace of nations, the integral development of peoples and the

spread of authentic human rights. May all Britons continue to live by

the values of honesty, respect and fair-mindedness that have won them the

esteem and admiration of many.

Today, the United Kingdom strives to be a modern and multicultural

society. In this challenging enterprise, may it always maintain its respect

for those traditional values and cultural expressions that more aggressive

forms of secularism no longer value or even tolerate. Let it not obscure the

Christian foundation that underpins its freedoms; and may that patrimony,

which has always served the nation well, constantly inform the example your

Government and people set before the two billion members of the Common-

wealth and the great family of English-speaking nations throughout the

world.

May God bless Your Majesty and all the people of your realm. Thank you.