U.S. ambassador to the Holy See visits Notre Dame | News | Notre Dame News | University of Notre Dame Skip To Content Skip To Navigation Skip To Search University of Notre Dame Notre Dame News Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Home Contact Search Menu Home › News › U.S. ambassador to the Holy See visits Notre Dame U.S. ambassador to the Holy See visits Notre Dame Published: March 18, 2016 Author: Notre Dame News During a speech at the University of Notre Dame today (March 18), the U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See Kenneth Hackett addressed the nature of the Holy See’s diplomatic work, and spoke about the impact of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’. Hackett said the Pope’s climate change encyclical “is a perfect example of what the Church and Holy See can offer on the world political stage in terms of highlighting key global issues and using its moral authority to effect change. “Since the release of the encyclical, we’ve seen a number of major initiatives to combat climate change in the United States,” he remarked. Hackett also provided a ‘Vatican 101’ – demystifying the Vatican and its structure with an overview of the Holy See, explaining its role as the governing body of the Roman Catholic Church that helps to support the work of the Pope in exercising his role as Supreme Pontiff. “Francis is changing things. His entire emphasis on mercy presents a challenge to his critics. If God is mercy then should we not accept that mercy and act in different ways in relation to each other and our common home? “Maybe the barriers that have existed for centuries around religious beliefs, around our political ambitions, around how we see each other, should change.” The event was organized and sponsored by the Notre Dame Initiative for Global Development (NDIGD), an integral part of Notre Dame’s new Keough School of Global Affairs. Posted In: Faith Home Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Related October 03, 2022 dCEC to Award 2023 ND Evangelium Vitae Medal to Robert P. George September 22, 2022 In memoriam: Rev. Richard Warner, C.S.C., longtime leader for Notre Dame, Congregation of Holy Cross September 15, 2022 In new book on global Catholicism, Provost John McGreevy explores modern history, current challenges of the Church September 15, 2022 Death penalty abolitionist Sister Helen Prejean to speak at Notre Dame September 14, 2022 Apostolic nuncio to Great Britain to deliver the 2022 Keeley Vatican Lecture For the Media Contact Office of Public Affairs and Communications Notre Dame News 500 Grace Hall Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Pinterest © 2022 University of Notre Dame Search Mobile App News Events Visit Accessibility Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn