Holy See at the UN urges sustainable development as U.S. pulls out of UNESCO July 23, 2025By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: News, Social Justice, World News Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, delivered a statement at the general debate of the U.N. Economic and Social Council’s High-Level Political Forum July 22, the same day that the Trump administration said the U.S. would withdraw from the United Nations’ cultural agency UNESCO. At the forum on sustainable development, Archbishop Caccia said the United Nations’ founding principles “of promoting peace and security, fostering international cooperation, protecting human rights, and advancing social and economic progress for all peoples” are “as vital today as they were eight decades ago, guiding our efforts to address global challenges.” “The Holy See emphasizes that development must be anchored in these foundational ideals, ensuring that every action upholds the God-given dignity of the human person and fosters solidarity among nations,” Archbishop Caccia said. Sustainable development, he argued, should “prioritize integral human development, which encompasses the spiritual, social and material well-being of every person.” “Indeed, development is not just a matter of economic growth; it is also a call to create conditions in which everyone can flourish, paying special attention to those most in need: children, the elderly, the poor and those in vulnerable situations,” he said. Archbishop Caccia’s comments came the same day the Trump administration said the United States would withdraw from UNESCO, a group that has partnered with the Holy See on human development and cultural heritage projects. The archbishop’s comments did not appear to be delivered in response to the administration’s decision. Among the agency’s most well-known work is the UNESCO World Heritage Sites program, which recognizes significant historic and cultural landmarks for protection and preservation, including more than two dozen sites in the United States, such as Independence Hall in Philadelphia, the Statue of Liberty in New York and the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Catholic sites and cathedrals, including Vatican City and Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, are among the World Heritage sites around the globe. Read More Social Justice In Baltimore, faithful walk for peace in Martin Luther King Jr.’s spirit Archbishop Broglio: ‘Morally acceptable’ for troops to disobey ‘morally questionable’ orders on Greenland Notre Dame reports success of guaranteed basic income program — will it go national? St. Bernardine will host 13th annual peace walk on MLK Day as event continues to blossom Trump calls for ban on corporations buying single-family homes amid housing shortage Sainthood effort begins for Mother Antonia, the nun who chose to bring Gospel behind bars Copyright © 2025 OSV News Print
Archbishop Broglio: ‘Morally acceptable’ for troops to disobey ‘morally questionable’ orders on Greenland
