Archbishop Christophe El Cassis, the Vatican’s permanent observer to the United Nations, addressed a global conference in New York on September 17, stating that every individual is created in the image and likeness of God and that human dignity cannot be diminished by hateful ideologies. According to Vatican News, the meeting focused on promoting interfaith and intercultural dialogue and tolerance to counter hate speech.
The Moral Imperative Against Discrimination
Archbishop El Cassis emphasized that the fundamental truth of human dignity forms the basis of a moral imperative. According to Vatican News, this principle requires rejecting all forms of intolerance, discrimination, and hate speech that fracture the human family and undermine peaceful coexistence.
The Vatican representative noted that hate speech targeting individuals or communities based on religion, race, or nationality contradicts Christ’s command to love one’s neighbor. According to Vatican News, such rhetoric poisons public debate, fuels divisions, and frequently paves the way for violence and persecution.
Disarming Words for Lasting Peace
Building a more humane culture requires individuals to be mindful of their words, according to Archbishop El Cassis. Citing Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical Magneficus Umanitas, Vatican News reported the archbishop’s assertion that the first step toward securing peace and promoting a culture of dialogue, tolerance, and respect for diversity is disarming our language.
Did you know? Archbishop El Cassis was appointed as the permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations on July 25, 2026, and officially presented his letters of appointment to UN Secretary-General António Guterres on September 16, according to Vatican News.
Words alone cannot build peace, the archbishop stated. Tolerance is not indifference or relativism; rather, it means actively recognizing the dignity of every person and the freedom of their conscience, according to Vatican News.
Balancing Free Expression and Responsibility
While freedom of expression remains a fundamental right that must be protected, Archbishop El Cassis warned that this freedom cannot be separated from responsibility, according to Vatican News. Words or speeches that incite violence or hatred cannot claim the protection of freedom; instead, they undermine the very conditions necessary for freedom to thrive.
The archbishop called for a communicative approach focused on listening to others and amplifying the voices of the voiceless, rather than relying on loud and aggressive messaging. According to Vatican News, non-violent and unarmed communication allows individuals to share diverse perspectives and act in accordance with human dignity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Archbishop Christophe El Cassis?
Archbishop Christophe-Zakia El-Cassis is the permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, having been appointed to the role by Pope Leo XIV, according to Vatican News. Born in Beirut, Lebanon, on August 24, 1968, he was ordained a priest for the Maronite Archdiocese of Beirut in 1994 and later served in Vatican diplomatic missions in Indonesia, Sudan, Turkey, and Pakistan.
What was the focus of the New York conference?
According to Vatican News, the global conference held on September 17 centered on promoting interfaith and intercultural dialogue and tolerance to effectively combat hate speech.
What is the Vatican’s stance on hate speech?
According to Vatican News, the Holy See maintains that every person is created in God’s image and that hate speech and discrimination contradict the commandment to love one’s neighbor while poisoning public discourse.
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