November 29, 2019

Message of His Holiness Pope Francis signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, to the President of the Fourth Review Conference of the Convention on Anti-Personnel Landmines.

Indeed, to the human failure that conflicts in themselves represent, anti- personnel landmines add a sense of fear that disrupts livelihoods, prevents reconciliation, peace and integral development. More than other weapons, anti- personnel landmines truly embody the conception that the other is an enemy. In this regard, I wish to repeat the call of Pope Francis and urge you to reject the temptation of viewing the other as merely an enemy to be destroyed, and not as a person endowed with inherent dignity.
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