On Thursday, 13 September, at Castel Gandolfo, the Holy Father received Mr James Nicholson, the new US Ambassador to the Holy See, who presented his letters of credence. The meeting, scheduled several weeks ago, came two days after the brutal attacks on New York and Washington. The Holy Father expressed his "profound participation in the grief of the American people" and his "heartfelt prayers for the president and the civil authorities, for all involved in the rescue operations and in helping the survivors, and, in a special way, for the victims and their families". John Paul II hopes that the United States' immense tragedy will stir the world's conscience:  "I pray that this inhuman act will awaken in the hearts of all the world's peoples a firm resolve to reject the ways of violence, to combat everything that sows hatred and division within the human family". He said that it should pave the way for a "new era of international cooperation". The new US Ambassador arrived in Castel Gandolfo accompanied by his wife, Suzanne, and one of his three children. During the meeting John Paul II said that the moral leadership of the United States in the world "depends on her fidelity to her founding principles". The Holy Father repeated his appeal for a revolution of opportunity:  "Here I would emphasize again what I said in my recent meeting with President Bush, that the revolution of freedom in the world must be completed by a "revolution of opportunity' which will enable all the members of the human family to enjoy a dignified existence and to share in the benefits of a truly global development". The Holy Father pointed out the basic importance of a strong respect for life policy. "In order to survive and prosper, democracy and its accompanying economic and political structures must be directed by a vision whose core is the God-given dignity and inalienable rights of every human being, from the moment of conception until natural death".

 
Mr Ambassador,
I am pleased to accept the Letters of Credence appointing you Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Holy See. You are beginning your mission at a moment of immense tragedy for your country. At this time of national mourning for the victims of the terrorist attacks on Washington and New York, I wish to assure you personally of my profound participation in the grief of the American people and of my heartfelt prayers for the President and the civil authorities, for all involved in the rescue operations and in helping the survivors, and in a special way for the victims and their families. I pray that this inhuman act will awaken in the hearts of all the world's peoples a firm resolve to reject the ways of violence, to combat everything that sows hatred and division within the human family, and to work for the dawn of a new era of international cooperation inspired by the highest ideals of solidarity, justice and peace.