Apostolic Nuncio in South Africa Urges “return of faith” to Safeguard Humanity’s Future
Pretoria, 14 July, 2026 / 9:15 pm (ACI Africa). The Apostolic Nuncio in South Africa has called for the “return of faith to international affairs,” as the world seeks to restore moral authority in global. . .
Pretoria, 14 July, 2026 / 9:15 pm (ACI Africa). The Apostolic Nuncio in South Africa has called for the “return of faith to international affairs,” as the world seeks to restore moral authority in global leadership. In his address at the Open Consultation that theGlobal South Perspectives Network(GSPN) hosted on Monday, July 13, ArchbishopHenryk Mieczysław Jagodzińskisaid moral authority cannot be built on power or technology, but on service, truth, justice, and respect for human dignity. Archbishop Jagodziński said the “return of faith to international affairs may become one of the most important developments of our time” because moral authority is rooted in the inherent dignity of every human person. In his presentation at the virtual event that was themed “In Search of Moral Authority: Religion, Civilizations and the Return of Faith to International Affairs,” Archbishop Jagodziński cautioned that the return of faith to international affairs should not be misunderstood as a call for religious domination. “It is not the return of religious domination. Not the return of fanaticism. Not the return of sacred empires,” The Vatican diplomat who also represents the Holy Father in Namibia, Botswana, eSwatini, and Lesotho said. Rather, he described international affairs as “the return of conscience, the return of responsibility, the return of transcendence, the return of moral limits, the return of the human person. ”Linking Pope Leo XIV’s first Encyclical,Magnifica Humanitas, to international affairs, the Vatican diplomat said the document presents humanity with two contrasting paths. One, he said, is symbolized by Babel, a civilization founded on power, technological domination, pride, and the illusion of human self-sufficiency. The other is represented by Jerusalem, rebuilt “slowly” and “stone by stone,” as a civilization rooted in responsibility, solidarity, justice, and peace. “These are not merely biblical images,” Archbishop Jagodziński said, explaining that they represent “two fundamentally different ways of understanding politics, international relations and, ultimately, the human person. ”He said the international community possesses unprecedented technological capabilities and sophisticated institutions but increasingly lacks “a commonly recognised moral horizon capable of guiding the exercise of power. ”“We possess increasingly sophisticated instruments, but we are less certain about the purposes they should serve,” he said, adding that while nations speak of international cooperation, trust between them continues to decline, and institutions established to sustain the international order are increasingly questioned and weakened. The Apostolic Nuncio said modern advances have also failed to answer fundamental moral questions confronting humanity. “We possess unprecedented technological power, including artificial intelligence, yet we struggle to answer the most ancient questions of humanity: What is justice? What is peace? What do we owe to one another? What limits should be placed upon power? And, perhaps most importantly: what does it mean to remain human?” he said. Archbishop Jagodziński went on to distinguish between power and authority, saying the two are often confused. “Power is the capacity to act. Authority is the capacity to inspire trust,” he said, adding that while power can impose decisions and force obedience, authority persuades consciences and creates legitimacy. He explained that military strength, economic influence, technological superiority, and political control can all produce power, but “moral authority. . . cannot be imposed. It must be recognised. ”The Polish-born Vatican diplomat lamented what he called the paradox of the modern age, saying humanity has acquired more power than any previous generation yet failed to achieve comparable growth in moral wisdom. Further echoing Magnifica Humanitas, he said technology can indicate what is possible but cannot determine what is morally good, just as economic systems can measure efficiency without defining justice, and military strategy can calculate victory without establishing peace. Politics can enact laws without providing the ultimate foundation of human dignity. “The crisis of contemporary civilisation is therefore not fundamentally a crisis of power,” Archbishop Jagodziński said, adding, “It is a crisis of purpose. It is a crisis of moral authority. ”Reflecting on religion's place in global affairs, the Apostolic Nuncio said predictions that modernization would gradually remove religion from public life have proved inaccurate. (Story continues below)“History has not confirmed this prediction,” he said, noting that faith continues to shape the lives and aspirations of billions of people, while religious communities remain among the world's leading providers of education, healthcare, humanitarian assistance, and social solidarity. He said the enduring relevance of religion lies in its ability to address questions “which politics and economics alone cannot answer,” urging governments and international institutions to recognize the contribution that faith can make to promoting the common good. Archbishop Jagodziński said the future will not belong to those who merely possess the greatest power or the most advanced technology, but to those who use power wisely, employ technology in the service of humanity, and build lasting peace. “In an age fascinated by power, moral authority will belong to those who serve,” he said. “In an age of confrontation, it will belong to those who preserve dialogue. In an age of fear, it will belong to those who create trust. In an age of division, it will belong to those who build bridges. ”He emphasised that religion, diplomacy, and nations share the responsibility of leading humanity “away from the culture of power and towards the civilisation of love. ”Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.