Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
01VATICAN6414
2001-12-11 15:37:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Vatican
Cable title:  

VATICAN REMEMBERS SEPTEMBER 11

Tags:  PREL VT 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS VATICAN 006414 

SIPDIS

DEPT. FOR EUR/WE (MENNUTI); EUR/PD/PA (HILTON)

FROM EMBASSY VATICAN/MESSAGE NO. 219/01

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL VT
SUBJECT: VATICAN REMEMBERS SEPTEMBER 11

UNCLAS VATICAN 006414

SIPDIS

DEPT. FOR EUR/WE (MENNUTI); EUR/PD/PA (HILTON)

FROM EMBASSY VATICAN/MESSAGE NO. 219/01

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL VT
SUBJECT: VATICAN REMEMBERS SEPTEMBER 11


1. THE VATICAN ENTHUSIASTICALLY EMBRACED THE WHITE HOUSE'S
REQUEST FOR A COMMEMORATION ON THE THIRD MONTH ANNIVERSARY
OF THE SEPTEMBER 11 ATTACKS. THE GOVERNOR OF VATICAN CITY
UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 02 VATICA 06414 111610Z
STATE, AMERICAN CARDINAL EDMUND SZOKA CELEBRATED A MEMORIAL
MASS IN VATICAN CITY DECEMBER 11 FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE
TERRORIST ATTACKS ON THE UNITED STATES. THE MASS BEGAN AT
PRECISELY 1446 LOCAL TIME (0846 EST) WITH THE SINGING OF THE
STAR SPANGLED BANNER AND THE PLAYING OF THE VATICAN NATIONAL
ANTHEM. AMBASSADOR NICHOLSON DID AN OLD TESTAMENT READING
DURING THE MASS, AND THE ENTIRE U.S. EMBASSY STAFF ATTENDED
THE COMMEMORATION. IN ADDITION OVER 150 OTHERS CAME TO THE
EVENT INCLUDING MANY AMBASSADORS AND MEMBERS OF THE
DIPLOMATIC CORPS ACCREDITED TO THE HOLY SEE. THIS TURNOUT
SHOWED THE DEPTH OF SOLIDARITY AND SUPPORT AMONG OUR FRIENDS
AND ALLIES FOR THE U.S. AND ITS PEOPLE. THE EVENT WAS WELL
COVERED BY VATICAN AND U.S. MEDIA. IN HIS ADDRESS, CARDINAL
SZOKA SAID POPE JOHN PAUL II IS NOT A PACIFIST AND THAT THE
PONTIFF, IN ACCORDANCE WITH OFFICIAL CATHOLIC DOCTRINE,
ACKNOWLEDGES THE RIGHT, AND INDEED, THE RESPONSIBILITY OF A
COUNTRY TO PROTECT ITS PEOPLE FROM ATTACK. CARDINAL SZOKA
LED THE CONGREGATION IN SINGING GOD BLESS AMERICA AT THE
CONCLUSION OF THE MASS.


2. AFTER THE COMMEMORATION AMBASSADOR NICHOLSON WAS
INTERVIEWED BY VATICAN RADIO. A FEATURE ON THE
COMMEMORATION WILL BE INTERNATIONALLY BROADCAST ON DECEMBER

12. NICHOLSON

UNCLASSIFIED

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2001VATICA06414 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED