New Holy See Permanent Observer to UN Says Hate Speech Is Not Freedom of Expression

VATICAN, September 18, 2026: The new Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, Archbishop Christophe-Zakhia El Kassis, presented his letter of appointment to UN Secretary-General António Guterres on September 16.

The following day, September 17, Archbishop El Kassis delivered his first address at the Global Conference on Promoting Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue and Tolerance in Countering Hate Speech in New York.

Addressing the Chair, the Archbishop reiterated the Holy See’s position that every individual is made in the image and likeness of God and possesses an inalienable dignity that cannot be diminished by any expression or ideology of hatred.

“From this foundational truth flows the moral imperative to reject every form of intolerance, discrimination, and hate speech that wounds the human family and undermines the conditions for peaceful coexistence,” he said.

He said hate speech directed at individuals or communities because of their religion, race, nationality or any other characteristic goes against the commandment to love one’s neighbour. It also “poisons public discourse, inflames division, and too often prepares the ground for violence and persecution”.

Archbishop El Kassis referred to the words of Pope Leo XIV in his Encyclical Letter Magnifica Humanitas: “The first contribution we can make toward a more humane civilisation is to be mindful of our words.”

He said words have great power, and that the first step towards weaving “the fabric of social peace and foster a culture of dialogue, tolerance and respect for differences” is taken when people disarm their words.

However, the new Permanent Observer stressed that words alone are not enough to build peace. Authentic tolerance, he said, does not mean indifference or relativism. Rather, it involves actively acknowledging each individual’s dignity and freedom of conscience.

He also stressed that patience in achieving dialogue, mutual understanding and rejecting stereotypes is essential to true tolerance.

“In this spirit the Holy See promotes interreligious and intercultural dialogue as an essential path toward overcoming prejudice and building a better world for all,” Archbishop El Kassis said.

Freedom of expression and responsibility

“Freedom of expression is a fundamental right that must be protected,” the Archbishop stressed. However, he said this freedom comes with responsibilities.

He said words or speech that intentionally provoke violence or hatred cannot “claim the protection of liberty; rather it erodes the very conditions in which genuine freedom can flourish.”

Referring again to Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical, Archbishop El Kassis said communication must be disarmed of prejudice, resentment, fanaticism and hatred, and freed from aggression.

He stressed the need for communication capable of listening and gathering the voices of those who have no voice, adding that disarmed and disarming communication can help build a different view of the world and encourage action consistent with human dignity.

About Archbishop El Kassis

Archbishop Christophe-Zakhia El-Kassis was born on August 24, 1968, in Beirut, Lebanon. He was ordained a priest of the Archeparchy of Beirut of the Maronites on May 21, 1994.

Six years later, he joined the Diplomatic Service of the Holy See and worked at the Pontifical Representations in Indonesia, Sudan and Türkiye.

In 2018, he was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Pakistan. On January 19, 2019, he received episcopal consecration from Cardinal Pietro Parolin in St Peter’s Basilica.

On July 25, 2026, Pope Leo XIV appointed Archbishop El-Kassis as Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations in New York.

Courtesy: Vatican News