Francis Rooney, former ambassador to the Holy See, told Newsmax on Thursday that the world can benefit from the diplomatic “soft power” of the papacy, adding that he expects the new Pope will carry on the legacies of Pope Benedict and Pope Francis in the quest for world peace.
Rooney, who served as ambassador from 2005-08 under former President George W. Bush, joined “National Report” as the world awaits a successor to Pope Francis from the conclave in Vatican City.
“I think that the conflicts and problems around the world right now desperately need the Holy See’s soft power, the ability of the church through the Pope and the secretary of state, etc. to bring issues to the fore without a territorial agenda and be listened to,” Rooney said. “Pope Benedict was very effective at that. Pope Francis was effective about it, too, like when he did the clandestine negotiations with [Raul] Castro under President [Barack] Obama to reopen the embassy. I thought that was a very unique display of Papal ability.
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