Meeting with Their Excellencies the Captains Regent in the Palazzo Pubblico (City Hall)

Greeting of the Holy Father to the faithful in the square from the balcony of the Palazzo Pubblico (City Hall)

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Meeting with Their Excellencies the Captains Regent in the Palazzo Pubblico (City Hall)

Captains Regent,
distinguished authorities,

I am very pleased to visit your country, which holds the distinction of being the oldest republic in the world, with a tradition dating back to the beginning of the fourth century. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Captains Regent for their kind invitation and for the warm welcome extended to me, as also demonstrated by the words they have addressed to me on behalf of all the citizens. My visit follows in the footsteps of Saint John Paul II in 1982 and Benedict XVI in 2011, and is intended to reaffirm the deep bond that unites the Titano with the Apostolic See. This is an ancient bond, forged by a long history of coexistence, yet at the same time a recent one if we consider that it was only a century ago, in April 1926, that diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the Most Serene Republic of San Marino were formalized.

Throughout its long history, your Republic has ensured that the words we might define as the spiritual testament of its Founder, and which we recalled a short while ago, always remain relevant: “Relinquo vos liberos ab utroque homine”, the essence of which is clearly encapsulated in the motto Libertas. A single word, yet one that carries such weight! In the context of the history of a people and a State, it certainly expresses the aspiration to self-determination, to freedom from dependence on other political authorities. Yet, at the same time, Libertas means much more, and I would like to dwell briefly on this with you.

First of all, I would like to emphasize that there is no true civil liberty without personal liberty; that is, without the respect for and promotion of the dignity of the human person, of which freedom is an essential component. This freedom is ultimately bestowed and guaranteed by God, whose voice resounds in the conscience of every human being.

Promoting freedom entails defending the realm of conscience. And here my thoughts turn to the many men and women who, in every age and in every place, are martyrs for freedom because they bear witness to the primacy of conscience. Firmly grounded in the search for truth, they are fully responsible for their own decisions and therefore free from every bond other than that which, as creatures, binds them to God. An exemplary figure in this regard is Saint Thomas More, patron saint of rulers and politicians. Even today, in many parts of the world, there is no shortage of people who remain faithful to their conscience even in the face of great adversity, bearing witness to true freedom – that which stems from being sons and daughters of God. With admiration, we express our solidarity with all those who, at this very moment, are paying a personal price for not having betrayed their consicence.

Furthermore, freedom is attained in giving, in communion, in encounter and in dialogue. It is like a plant that grows and produces branches and leaves to offer oxygen, shade, perfume, fruit and new seeds to everyone. And how could it be otherwise, since it springs from the source that is Love, One and Triune? This theological reference may perhaps seem excessive, but I believe it is necessary today, in the face of the idolatry that undermines at its very root those political and economic projects which present themselves in the name of freedom, but are in reality enslaved to idols and power.

In the Christian vision, freedom and communion stand or fall together. Many saints have initiated experiences of community life in which people express their freedom through obedience to a rule based on the Gospel. In your case, it is always of particular interest that at the origin of your community are men such as Saint Marino and Saint Leo, whom we might describe as builders of free and peaceful cities. Their work can be interpreted in the light of the biblical icon of the rebuilding of Jerusalem brought about by the Prophet Nehemiah. It is the “positive” image, in contrast to that of the tower of Babel, which guides the reflection in the Encyclical Magnifica humanitas (cf. no. 8). Nehemiah’s work is inspired by prayer; it involves families and the whole people, forging bonds even before the stones are laid; its hallmark is communion, not uniformity, “the harmony that arises when all persons assume their own role and recognize that their strength comes from the Lord” (ibid). This is how I like to think of the work undertaken by your Founders, which is well reflected in the industriousness and ingenuity of this people and this land.

Libertas, for you, also means an unwavering commitment to active and positive participation in the building of peace. In this regard, I express my deep appreciation and find a particular resonance with the stance taken by the Holy See. For this reason, we share a high regard for diplomacy and multilateralism, as the preferred means of fostering international relations and promoting understanding between nations. “Faced with the impulsive broadcasts, aggressive rhetoric and power politics that characterize our time, the vocation of diplomacy is to foster dialogue with all parties, including those interlocutors considered less ‘convenient’ or not considered legitimized to negotiate. Therefore, every ounce of humility and patience should be employed in order to nurture even the faintest signs of goodwill among parties in conflict, so as to advance the process of peace” (Encyclical Letter Magnifica humanitas, 224).

Ladies and Gentlemen, this visit, much like the one in the Principality of Monaco, prompts me to emphasize the unique value of a small state “on a human scale”, where it is possible to experience politics attuned to the needs of citizens and, therefore, a more effective democracy, all the more so when it is also animated by Christian inspiration. The Republic of San Marino can therefore serve as a “laboratory” for good governance, where, without compromising the secular nature of the State, one can draw upon the principles of Catholic social teaching: the pursuit of the common good, the universal destination of goods, the harmony between subsidiarity and solidarity, and social justice (cf. ibid., 59–81). This commitment appears even more valuable today, as the Association Agreement with the European Union is about to come into force and your Republic will find itself engaged in a stable, albeit distinctive, relationship with a complex reality, which stands to benefit greatly from your contribution.

Even more fundamentally, the primary objective to strive for in this “laboratory” is care for the human person. Indeed, a community such as yours, one that is both rich in traditional values and technologically up to date, can effectively pursue this objective through a form of care that translates into the protection of every life, at every stage, from conception to natural death. “The quality of a civilization is measured not by the power of its means, but by the care it is able to offer, by its ability to recognize the other as a face, not merely as a function. The ability to care for one another is a fundamental dimension of our humanity. … Technology can also support this mutual care between people, for example, by providing tools that help us anticipate and organize things, without undermining human freedom and judgment. After all, human beings are the subjects of relationships and responsible for their own decisions” (ibid., 114).

This care for others has been a distinctive trait of San Marino’s history from its very beginnings. As has been noted, it has been evident in the tradition of hospitality, which has never wavered over the centuries towards those who suffer and are facing hardship. More recently, it has been demonstrated through the support and hospitality extended to the Ukrainian people, especially at the outset of the conflict, as well as through the commitment to international humanitarian law at a time in history when it appears to be disregarded, if not outright trampled upon, on a daily basis.

This sensitivity is also the fruit of this country’s Christian tradition and of the constant and positive collaboration between political authorities and the bishop in the pursuit of the common good. I am therefore particularly grateful to you for your commitment and witness, and I encourage all of you, leaders, citizens and the Church community, to continue your courageous and far-sighted commitment to the dignity of every human person and to the common good. To each of you, I renew my expression of joy at this visit to the Republic of San Marino and I invoke the Lord’s blessing upon you all.

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Greeting of the Holy Father to the faithful in the square from the balcony of the Palazzo Pubblico (City Hall)

Good morning! Good morning to you all! I thank you sincerely for your welcome, on this beautiful day! I am truly delighted to be here with you, to greet you, and to enjoy the beauty, history, tradition and faith of this great people of San Marino.

Best wishes to you: may you always live with genuine freedom, with genuine freedom in Christ Jesus, with the truth, and may you always be united in this welcoming spirit. Best wishes to you all!

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Holy See Press Office Bulletin, 22 August 2026