Vatican's new UN voice arrives

Archbishop Christophe Z. El Kassis presented his credentials as the Holy See's Permanent Observer to the UN on September 16, 2026, replacing the previous envoy.

Hate speech poisons society

In his first address, El Kassis warned that hate speech directed at people because of religion, race, or nationality poisons public discourse and prepares the ground for violence.

“poisons public discourse, inflames division, and too often prepares the ground for violence and persecution”

Human dignity demands respect

The Holy See grounds its position in the belief that every person is made in God's image with inalienable dignity that cannot be diminished by hatred or intolerance.

Words shape the world

Citing Pope Leo XIV's encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, El Kassis emphasized that words have immense power and the first step toward peace is to disarm our language of prejudice and hatred.

“The first contribution we can make toward a more humane civilization is to be mindful of our words”

Tolerance requires active respect

True tolerance is not indifference but actively acknowledging each person's dignity and freedom of conscience while rejecting stereotypes and building mutual understanding.

Freedom comes with responsibility

While freedom of expression is fundamental, speech that intentionally provokes violence or hatred cannot claim protection as free speech because it erodes the conditions for genuine freedom.

“Freedom of expression is a fundamental right that must be protected”

Archbishop El Kassis's path to the UN

Born in Beirut in 1968, El Kassis served as a Maronite priest and Vatican diplomat in Indonesia, Sudan, and Turkey before becoming Apostolic Nuncio to Pakistan in 2018.