Apostolic Nuncio Pioppo Urges Shared Responsibility for Andorra's Social Challenges

Apostolic Nuncio Piero Pioppo called on Andorran public authorities, families, educational centres, and the Church to share responsibility in tackling social challenges during his homily at the Meritxell Sanctuary.

Delivering the Eucharist for Meritxell Day, which marked the sanctuary's 50th anniversary as a national shrine, Pioppo stressed that institutions must go beyond handling immediate issues. They should help shape a society rooted in personal dignity, solidarity, and coexistence amid cultural relativism, social indifference, and rising competitiveness driven by global changes.

Public powers, alongside families and the Church, play a key role in equipping children and young people with values and skills to face the future, he said. Pioppo warned against a world that stifles spiritual and cultural values, breeding anxiety, selfishness, and hostility, and decried a "culture of death" that erodes human dignity across the globe.

The family stands at the heart of this effort. Where families gain support, they serve as models of relationships, dialogue, and hope; when neglected, society pays the price, he noted, drawing on recent papal guidance.

Pioppo urged those in charge of the common good to safeguard vulnerable areas of communal life rather than letting them drift. He highlighted Andorra's capacity to aid Europe's progress by upholding human rights, justice, and dignity.

Bishop and Episcopal Co-Prince Lluís Serrano i Pentinat welcomed new members to the Andorran Church, emphasising hospitality, fraternity, and active involvement. He hoped they would feel fully embraced and help build a vibrant, open community through their faith.

Pioppo brought greetings and a blessing from Pope Leo XIV, framing the jubilee year as a period of grace, joy, renewed faith, and service to Andorra.