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Nigel Baker

Ambassador to the Holy See (2011-2016)

Part of UK in Holy See

15th September 2011

Anniversary of Pope Benedict’s Visit to Britain

The Papal Visit to the United Kingdom last year, exactly one year ago this week, was an extraordinary moment in the relationship between my country and the Holy See. It was the first State Visit by a Pope, and in the Prime Minister’s words “an incredibly moving four days for our country”. It emphasised the “common bond” between us. And the “common good” for which we work.

In his speech to me at my presentation of credentials, in response to my own, Pope Benedict made particularly warm remarks about his visit to the United Kingdom.

Many people will, this coming weekend, be reflecting on the importance of the Pope’s visit for them. I shall join a number of those involved at the celebratory Mass in Westminster Cathedral on Sunday 18 September. The question of legacy will be uppermost for many – what difference did the visit make to me?

For the British government, the answer is clear. We have become ever closer in our co-operation in international development issues, as witnessed by the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Mennini, at the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation pledging event hosted by the Prime Minister in June, and by DFID Secretary of State Andrew Mitchell’s visit to the Holy See in May. We have expanded our political dialogue across a range of areas of common interest, from freedom of religion and expression, to events happening in many parts of this turbulent world. The Pope’s positive comments in his speech to me about the advances being made in Northern Ireland demonstrate that we are also engaging on issues closer to home.

Everyone will have their own answer to the question. But it is rare that a State Visit comes with a focus on values, and a motto – “heart speaks unto heart” – of such enduring resonance. That is what many in the UK will be reflecting upon this weekend.

About Nigel Baker

Nigel was British Ambassador to the Holy See from 2011-2016. He presented his Credentials to Pope Benedict XVI on 9 September 2011, after serving 8 years in Latin America, as…

Nigel was British Ambassador to the Holy See from 2011-2016. He presented his Credentials to Pope Benedict XVI on 9 September 2011, after serving 8 years in Latin America, as Deputy Head of Mission in the British Embassy in Havana, Cuba (2003-6) and then as British Ambassador in La Paz, Bolivia (2007-11). In July 2016, Nigel finished his posting, and is currently back in London.

As the first British Ambassador to the Holy See ever to have a blog, Nigel provided a regular window on what the Embassy and the Ambassador does. The blogs covered a wide range of issues, from Royal and Ministerial visits to Diplomacy and Faith, freedom of religion, human trafficking and climate change.

More on Nigel’s career

Nigel was based in London between 1998 and 2003. He spent two years on European Union issues (for the UK 1998 EU Presidency and on European Security and Defence questions), before crossing St James’s Park to work for three years as The Assistant Private Secretary to His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. At St James’s Palace, Nigel worked on international issues, including the management of The Prince of Wales’s overseas visits and tours, on the Commonwealth, interfaith issues, the arts and international development.

Nigel spent much of the early part of his FCO career in Central Europe, after an initial stint as Desk Officer for the Maghreb countries in the Near East and North Africa department (1990-91). Between 1992 and 1996, Nigel served in the British embassies in Prague and Bratislava, the latter being created in 1993 after the peaceful division of Czechoslovakia into the separate Czech and Slovak Republics.

Nigel joined the FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) in September 1989. Between 1996 and 1998 he took a two year academic sabbatical to research and write about themes in 18th century European history, being based in Verona but also researching in Cambridge, Paris and Naples. The research followed from Nigel’s time as a student at Cambridge (1985-88) where he read history and was awarded a First Class Honours degree, followed by his MA in 1992.

Before joining the Foreign Office, Nigel worked briefly for the Conservative Research Department in London at the time of the 1989 European election campaign.

Nigel married Alexandra (Sasha) in 1997. They have one son, Benjamin, born in Bolivia in September 2008.

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