Email to a friend Printable version

Francis Campbell, HM Ambassador to the Vatican, gave a fascinating insight into diplomacy, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Vatican, talking informally to students and staff in the Emmaus Centre and in a talk given to Poetry. He spoke of the huge role the Vatican plays in international development, climate change and disarmament and its extensive global connections and influence: with 176 ambassadors in the Holy See and over 17% of the world’s population belonging to the Catholic Church, the Vatican is an important bridge to other countries and cultures. Many questions were asked afterwards, on a range of topics such as Catholicism in China, ecumenism and faith in action.

The Head of the Line, John Messent, and Henry Taylor presented Mr Campbell with gifts from the College and thanked him for his extremely informative and thought-provoking talk.

Photographs show Mr Campbell with the Headmaster, Mr Andrew Johnson and John Messent, Head of the Line; in the Emmaus Centre with Fr John Twist, Miss Sarah Young and students; signing the visitors' book in the Stuart Parlour; receiving a gift from John Messent.