Today the World Health Assembly has adopted by consensus a resolution presented by Italy for the formal recognition of the Holy See’s status as a non-Member State Observer to the World Health Organisation.
The resolution – co-sponsored by 70 countries from all geographic areas – provides for the Holy See’s status at the WHO to be aligned with that granted by the United Nations in 2004.
It is a recognition of the vital role played by the Holy See in the humanitarian and health fields, particularly in developing countries and most recently in the fight against the pandemic.
In a telephone conversation today with the Vatican Secretary for Relations with States, Monsignor Paul Richard Gallagher, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Luigi Di Maio has expressed great satisfaction for the result achieved in Geneva by Italy and the Holy See, which represents an unquestionable success for multilateralism and will contribute to strengthening cooperation in the field of health.