In his address to political authorities in Tbilisi the Pope invited all to dialogue, which is all the more necessary “in the present historical moment with no shortage of violent extremism that manipulates and distorts civic and religious principles, and subjugates them to the dark designs of domination and death”. Georgia’s president, Margvelashvili, thanked him for the support of the Holy See and addressed very tough words to Russia, in reference to the Abkhazia and South Ossetia questions
“The peaceful coexistence among all peoples and states in the region is the indispensable and prior condition for such authentic and enduring progress. This requires increasing mutual esteem and consideration, which can never lay aside respect for the sovereign rights of every country within the framework of international law.” Francis pronounced these words in his first speech in Georgia, addressing the country’s political authorities at the presidential palace in Tbilisi. Civil dialogue, moderation and responsibility, he explained, are all the more necessary in an historic moment in which there is “no shortage of violent extremism that manipulates and distorts civic and religious principles, and subjugates them to the dark designs of domination and death”.
After disembarking the plane that flew him from Rome to the Georgian capital Tbilisi, Pope Francis was welcomed at the airport by the President of the Republic, Georgi Margvelashvili, and the Patriarch of the Georgian Apostolic Orthodox Church, Ilia II. The Pope embraced the elderly patriarch and the two greeted each other with a kiss. The welcome ceremony was simple, featuring national hymns and a military tribute. Straight after this, the Pope made his way to the presidential palace for a courtesy visit to the head of State and a meeting with authorities and civil society.
Francis was welcomed by the young philosopher president Georgi Margvelashvili at the entrance to the Belvedere. After this private meeting, he came out into the Courtyard of Honour in front of the palace that is built on a large expanse of land and is similar in structure to Berlin’s Reichstag. Tbilisi’s presidential palace, which is covered entirely in glass, was designed by Italian architect Michele De Lucchi. Margvelashvili succeeded President Mikheil Saakashvili, who led the Rose Revolution which established itself after the demonstrations which took place in 2003, overthrowing post-Soviet independent Georgia’s first president, Eduard Shevardnadze, Mikhail Gorbachev’s former foreign minister. The government that was born out of the Rose Revolution was markedly pro-western and severed all ties with Moscow, opening the country up to the market economy and foreign investment, with a solid programme of privatisations, which filled the state’s coffers, not without some shady dealings. In August 2008 a dispute between Georgia and Russia over control of the Ossetia region led to military conflict when Georgian troops entered the region. Moscow’s tanks gained the upper hand, coming very close – just a few kilometres – to the capital Tbilisi. The wounds that resulted from this, have not yet healed.
The Georgian president greeted Francis, thanking him for the Holy See’s support. Referring to the Abkhazia and South Ossetia questions, he directed some very tough words at Russia: “The country is still a victim of military aggression by another state: 20% of our territory is occupied and 15% of the population are refugees. These people were stripped of their homes purely because they are ethnically Georgian! Just 40 kilometres away from here there is a barbed wire fence that prevents the peaceful population, neighbours and relatives from communicating with one another!”
“Just 40 kilometres away from here, human beings are bearing daily witness to violence, kidnappings, murders and offences that profoundly hurt people’s dignity! And yet, despite everything, we do not seek conflict, we are simply seeking a way to bring peace to our country and freedom from foreign occupation.”
In his speech, the Pope recalled that Georgia’s “centuries-old history”, its culture and its values, places it “fully and in a particular way within the bedrock of European civilization”. At the same time, “as is evident from your geographical location, Georgia is to a great extent a natural bridge between Europe and Asia, a link that facilitates communication and relations between peoples”.
Francis recognised that in the 25 years that have passed since its proclamation of independence, Georgia “built and strengthened its democratic institutions and sought ways to guarantee the most inclusive and authentic development possible”. “I hope that the path of peace and development will advance with the consolidated commitment of all sectors of society, so as to create conditions for stability, justice and respect for the rule of law, hence promoting growth and greater opportunities for all.”
Such “authentic and enduring progress,” Francis went on to say, “is the indispensable and prior condition” for “peaceful coexistence among all peoples and states in the region.” “This requires increasing mutual esteem and consideration, which can never lay aside respect for the sovereign rights of every country within the framework of international law.”
What is therefore required is a “civilized dialogue where reason, moderation and responsibility can prevail. This is all the more necessary in the present historical moment, with no shortage of violent extremism that manipulates and distorts civic and religious principles, and subjugates them to the dark designs of domination and death.”
Francis added: “We should wholeheartedly give priority to human beings in their actual circumstances and pursue every attempt to prevent differences from giving rise to violence that can cause ruinous calamity for people and for society. Far from being exploited as grounds for turning discord into conflict and conflict into interminable tragedy, distinctions along ethnic, linguistic, political or religious lines can and must be for everyone a source of mutual enrichment in favour of the common good.”
The Pope concluded by saying: “This requires that everyone make full use of their particular identity, having the possibility, above all else, to coexist peacefully in their homeland, or freely to return to that land, if for some reason they have been forced to leave it. I hope that civil authorities will continue to show concern for the situation of these persons, and that they will fully commit themselves to seeking tangible solutions, in spite of any unresolved political questions.”
The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, is not attending the apostolic visit to the Caucasus region as he is ill with the flu.
