Ex-Envoy Cites Role For Religion

World dignitaries must pay attention to religious leaders as well as political leaders, says the former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican.

“It is in our foreign policy interest to understand the role religion plays in government today,” said Raymond Flynn, who was the mayor of Boston before his stint as ambassador, which ended this fall.

“Foreign policy-makers need to understand religion plays an important role,” said Flynn, who is writing a book on his experiences at the Vatican.

At the recent annual meeting of the Newport Irish Heritage Association, Flynn spoke to more than 100 members about the ambassador’s role and the power of the pope.

“This position is the link between the world’s most important military and economic superpower and the world’s most important voice,” he said about his Vatican post.

Flynn described Pope John Paul II as focused, articulate and remarkable.

“He is the most important person of the century,” Flynn said.