"Freedom of religion is set to become a growing element in current discussions as people realise the importance of this human right, and as the international institutions set about safeguarding it," sad Archbishop Silvano Tomasi.
He told Vatican Radio that the UN's Human Rights Council was to devote its March 2013 session to religious freedom and would be seeking "practical solutions" to prevent anti-faith violence.
He added that most violent acts were currently directed against Christians worldwide, and said he hoped the UN would also agree to set up an organisational unit to combat them.