Tiny state; huge influence

'People of faith and good will can move mountains'

Julieta Valls Noye

Vatican city may be the world's smallest state, but its influence ranks up there with that of the largest states, as a story on The B.C. Catholic's website explains in detail.

It points out how Pope Benedict XVI keeps up to date about all that's going on everywhere. Meeting six new ambassadors recently, one of whom was the Syrian one, he spoke somewhat obliquely about events in that country, indirectly reproaching the Syrian government for its crackdown which has left thousands dead.

The Pope also spoke to them of what he calls "human ecology," a theme he returns to quite often.

One member of the U.S. embassy to the Holy See is just leaving for another high appointment, deputy executive secretary at the State Department in Washington. Julieta Valls Noyes, deputy chief of mission for three years, came to public attention when Wikileaks revealed U.S. cables from its embassy. Her career does seem to be still flying high.

She explained why the Vatican is so important for international diplomacy, and added, "If there's one lesson I've learned, it's that people of faith and good will can move mountains."