Apostolic nuncios should focus on proclaiming the Gospel and shun abuses of power and corruption that can come from the luxurious trappings of their diplomatic status, Pope Francis has cautioned.

The pope met June 13 with more than 100 Vatican diplomats, who serve either as nuncios — ambassadors — or as the Holy See’s permanent observers at the United Nations and other international organizations.

While nuncios could have their own sympathies and antipathies, they should not be hypocritical or engage in back-stabbing, Pope Francis stated in pre-prepared remarks.

“It is irreconcilable, therefore, to be a pontifical representative while criticizing the pope behind his back, to have a blog or even unite with groups hostile to (the pope), the Curia or the Church of Rome,” the text said.

Francis’ words came several days after The Washington Post published an interview with Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganó, the former nuncio to the United States, who published a long document in 2018 criticizing the Pope and other members of the Curia.

Meeting the diplomats at the Vatican, Pope Francis said that instead of reading his prepared speech, he preferred to have an open discussion “to help you not fall asleep.”

The Vatican press office said the pope’s prepared text was handed out to the nuncios; but his conversation with them was not broadcast.

In the prepared text, Pope Francis listed 10 requirements that should characterize the life of a nuncio, beginning with the principle that they must be men of God who do not engage in petty gossip and slander or be deceived by worldly values.

“The nuncio who forgets to be a man of God ruins himself and others; he goes off track and also damages the church to which he dedicated his life,” the pope said.

Published on the La Croix International website