On June 23, 2023, the Royal Academy of Morocco in Rabat welcomed Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State of the Holy See, as an associate member. This prestigious distinction recognizes the influential career of a diplomat dedicated to promoting dialogue, peace, and unity among nations, themes that were prominently highlighted during his investiture ceremony.
The ceremony, held at the Academy's headquarters, gathered prominent figures from religious, diplomatic, and academic circles representing the three monotheistic faiths. It was notably marked by a heartfelt tribute from Abdeljalil Lahjomri, the Academy’s perpetual secretary, who praised Cardinal Parolin's commitment to peace and dialogue among nations. He articulated that Parolin's efforts are rooted in a vision based on universal values and a “moral law that transcends borders, statuses, and eras.”
Presided over by André Azoulay, advisor to King Mohammed VI, the event also served as an opportunity to underscore the deep-rooted relations between Morocco and the Holy See. Lahjomri noted that this investiture coincides with the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two states. He referenced significant milestones in their partnership, including King Mohammed VI's historic visit to the Vatican and Pope Francis's visit to Rabat in 2019, which symbolized interfaith dialogue and coexistence.
In his address, the perpetual secretary of the Academy placed the investiture within the context of the current international landscape, characterized by ongoing conflicts, rising radicalism, and emerging challenges related to technological changes. He expressed concerns regarding the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and their implications for human values and societal cohesion.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin emphasized the urgent need for fostering fraternity among people. He stated, “The world needs to recognize itself as one human family, to work together, collaborate, accept, respect, and love one another. Without this, humanity will never know peace.” The newly appointed associate member of the Academy stressed that building sustainable peace requires dialogue and mutual understanding. He firmly asserted that crises and conflicts cannot be resolved through force or violence, stating, “The means to resolve conflicts is neither force nor violence, but dialogue and respect.”
Among the attendees was writer Tahar Ben Jelloun, a member of the Academy, who described the investiture as “exceptional.” He highlighted Cardinal Parolin’s central role within the Vatican, noting that as Secretary of State, he is the second-ranking official in the Vatican hierarchy. According to Ben Jelloun, this membership illustrates the historical excellence of relationships between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Holy See.
French writer Jérôme Clément, also a member of the Academy, remarked on the highly symbolic nature of Cardinal Pietro Parolin's membership amid the current international tensions and conflicts. He emphasized that this investiture serves as a reminder of the importance of interfaith dialogue as a lever for mutual understanding and peace, declaring, “It is not an option but a necessity. It is a collective responsibility, whether one is Christian or Muslim.”
As reported by fr.le360.ma.
