Pope Called To Mediate In Falklands

Argentina's President has urged the Pope to intervene in the row over the Falkland Islands on the eve of the Pontiff's inauguration, reports Sky's Robert Nisbet.

出訪羅馬的阿根廷總統克里斯蒂娜請求教皇方濟各干預阿根廷與英國之間的島嶼主權爭議，防止因英國使南大西洋軍事化的行動而發生意外事件。

They had disagreed over their approach to sexuality and contraception, but President Kirchner and the new Pope have both supported Argentina’s claim to the Falkland Islands. So when the two met in Rome ahead of his installation mass, Cristina Kirchner sought common ground, she asked him to intercede in the dispute between London and Venezuela’s.

Now we sit with a historical opportunity, a much more favorable outlook in front of us. Both UK and Argentina are governed democratically, there’s no danger of anything more aggressive than the UK’s military presence in the area. There are few countries more peaceful than Argentina. The only thing we want is that the UK complies with the UN Resolutions so we can sit down together and talk. I asked the Holy Father for his mediation in achieving a dialogue between the two parties.

And that is just the first in a series of important meetings the new Pope will be holding this week. On Saturday he will fly here to the papal retreat of Castle Gandolfo have lunch with the pope emeritus. It is an event without historical precedent. And they’re once again expecting large crowds to throng this beautiful hilltop town 50 miles outside Rome. When Benedict took out temporary residence here ending his papacy, 12,000 witnessed his farewell words. The mayor of the town says the meeting will be hugely symbolic.

It’s been the pope’s last goodbye, he looked out from there, and said a very warm and simple goodbye to us. Pope Francis shows the same simplicity and affection, so it seems that there’s a sort of continuity in the passage between these two popes.

It’s just 18 days since the extraordinary papal saga unfolded when Benedict flew from Vatican City. 4 days later, the Church started preparations for the Conclave. 115 cardinal electors from around the world were then locked in the 16 chapel. It took 5 secret ballots for white smoke to emerge from the chimney. Later that evening, the new pope was unveiled. He’s now fashioning his image as a hands-on parish priest, leading a church for the poor.

The inaugural mass is meant to be a uniting moment for a global church above politics and diplomatic squabbles. But Argentina’s president has ensured the rumbling row over the Falklands has secured headlines just hours before world leaders attend the historic ceremony.

Robert Nisbet, Sky News, Rome.