Pope Benedict XVI yesterday welcomed the progress made in recent years towards peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland, contrasting the advances made in Ireland with last July's terrorist bombings on the London Underground.
Pope Benedict made the remarks on receiving the credentials of Britain's new ambassador, Francis Martin-Xavier Campbell (35), from Co Down, who is the first Catholic to be appointed British ambassador to the Holy See since the Reformation.
"I am pleased to note the significant progress that has been made over the last few years towards achieving peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland," the Pope told the ambassador at a ceremony in the Vatican yesterday morning.
"Local churches and ecclesiastical communities have worked hard to overcome historic differences between sections of the population, and among the most visible signs of the growth in mutual trust is the recent decommissioning of weapons by the Irish Republican Army.
"This would not have been possible without immense diplomatic and political efforts to achieve a just solution to that long-standing conflict, and it brings great credit upon all who were involved."
Benedict XVI, who is celebrating his first Christmas as Pope, contrasted the progress in the Northern Ireland peace process with the Islamist bombings on the London Underground.
"Sadly, in the wake of the bombings that took place in London last July, your country still has to cope with acts of indiscriminate violence directed against members of the public," he said.
"I wish to assure you of the continuing support of the church as you seek solutions to the underlying tensions that give rise to such atrocities."
The Pope said the Catholic population of Britain was already characterised by a high degree of ethnic diversity and could play an important part in furthering reconciliation and harmony between the various racial groups resident in the UK.
Referring to the Northern Ireland conflict, he said Britain was no stranger to the strife caused by the "sad divisions within Christianity", adding: "The wounds resulting from more than four centuries of separation cannot be healed without determined efforts, perseverance and, above all, prayer."
Mr Campbell, who studied political science and scholastic philosophy at Queen's University Belfast and served as private secretary to prime minister Tony Blair between 2001 and 2003, said he looked forward to celebrating the 40th anniversary next year of the first meeting since the Reformation of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Pope.
"We look forward to celebrating it together. Such examples give great hope and send a clear sign to the world that faiths will not allow their doctrinal differences to stand in the way of greater co-operation," he said.