Pope Francis' Secretary of State for the Holy See, Cardinal Pietro Parolin spoke about the need for a ceasefire to reporters on the sidelines of the award ceremony of the “Economy and Society” International Prize awarded by the Centesimus Annus Foundation. The cardinal expressed deep concerns over further escalation of both wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, where, he explains the only solution is a ceasefire.
New appeal for a ceasefire in Gaza
Regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Vatican Secretary of State confirmed that there have been no developments in diplomatic contacts with Israel, reiterating that what the Holy See wants is for dialogue to start: "Our concern is, first of all, to find a way to have the hostages released and for humanitarian assistance which continues to be very difficult. So the only path is that of a ceasefire", he insisted.
At another recent event, the Cardinal criticized Israel's defense as not being proportionate. Cardinal Parolin said, the position of the Holy See has always been one of "clear and unreserved condemnation of what happened on 7 October" and "of every type of anti-Semitism", but he also wants to clarify that Israel's right to defense must be proportionate : “And certainly with 30,000 deaths it is not,” (the current death toll of civilians in Gaza by Israel) he added."There is a coincidence of concerns on the part of Italy and on the part of the Holy See. There is a general voice that we cannot continue like this." These are the words of the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Parolin, on the situation in Gaza, pronounced on the sidelines of the meeting for the 40th anniversary of the State-Church Concordat, which took place at Palazzo Borromeo in the presence, among others, of Sergio Mattarella and Giorgia Meloni.
Regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Vatican Secretary of State confirmed that there have been no developments in diplomatic contacts with Israel, reiterating that what the Holy See wants is for dialogue to start: "Our concern is, first of all, to find a way to have the hostages released and for humanitarian assistance which continues to be very difficult. So the only path is that of a ceasefire", he insisted.
At another recent event, the Cardinal criticized Israel's defense as not being proportionate. Cardinal Parolin said, the position of the Holy See has always been one of "clear and unreserved condemnation of what happened on 7 October" and "of every type of anti-Semitism", but he also wants to clarify that Israel's right to defense must be proportionate : “And certainly with 30,000 deaths it is not,” (the current death toll of civilians in Gaza by Israel) he added."There is a coincidence of concerns on the part of Italy and on the part of the Holy See. There is a general voice that we cannot continue like this." These are the words of the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Parolin, on the situation in Gaza, pronounced on the sidelines of the meeting for the 40th anniversary of the State-Church Concordat, which took place at Palazzo Borromeo in the presence, among others, of Sergio Mattarella and Giorgia Meloni.
Palestine's Ambassador to the Holy See, Issa Kassissieh, on Feb. 26th, met with Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States, about the war in Gaza, emphasizing the need for immediate humanitarian assistance and appealing for a ceasefire before of the holy days of the Christian and Muslim calendars.
Ukraine-Russia War
He said that French President Emanuel Macron’s suggestion that Europe could send ground troops to Ukraine opens a “frightening scenario”.
“It’s a truly frightening scenario,” said Cardinal Parolin on the sidelines of theVatican event on Tuesday, "because it would bring about the escalation that we have always tried to avoid from the beginning. It's a scenario that I wouldn't call apocalyptic because perhaps that's an exaggerated word at this moment, but certainly it's fearsome," he added.
“It would be ideal to really find a way to get the two sides to start talking and dialoguing”, added Cardinal Parolin. “I believe that if we talk, a solution will be found.”
“Various types of solutions have been proposed, the important thing is that there is the will to implement them.”
The prize is awarded every two years by the Centesimus Annus - Pro Pontifice Foundation to a publication “which stands out for its original contribution to in-depth study and implementation of the Social Doctrine of the Church, is of proven doctrinal soundness and exceptional quality, and is accessible to the general public”.
Cardinal Parolin focused his closing keynote speech at the event on the theme of fraternity. “The awareness of our vulnerability opens us to the experience of otherness – he said - which disposes us to the gift of fraternity and to the encounter with God. In becoming close to our brothers we will rediscover ourselves, we will rediscover our most authentic humanity".
We need a culture of care
"Vulnerability is not only an ontological limit – Cardinal Parolin clarified - but it is also our openness towards the infinite, our need for love and salvation, and our profound need to be with others. In this sense, the ethics of vulnerability enhances sensitivity and tenderness, to reach a true spiritual maturity in which even the miseries of the soul are welcomed with courage and compassion".
"What we need," the Secretary of State remarked, "is to give comfort to the marginalized, despite our fragility and our limits."
Today, however, the "technocratic system, in which investments in technology influence political choices, favours efficiency and the culture of waste". The search for profit at any cost, he said, "is the root cause of financial speculation, the arms trade, environmental pollution and consequently the social injustices that cause inequality and marginalization."
He said that French President Emanuel Macron’s suggestion that Europe could send ground troops to Ukraine opens a “frightening scenario”.
“It’s a truly frightening scenario,” said Cardinal Parolin on the sidelines of theVatican event on Tuesday, "because it would bring about the escalation that we have always tried to avoid from the beginning. It's a scenario that I wouldn't call apocalyptic because perhaps that's an exaggerated word at this moment, but certainly it's fearsome," he added.
“It would be ideal to really find a way to get the two sides to start talking and dialoguing”, added Cardinal Parolin. “I believe that if we talk, a solution will be found.”
“Various types of solutions have been proposed, the important thing is that there is the will to implement them.”
The prize is awarded every two years by the Centesimus Annus - Pro Pontifice Foundation to a publication “which stands out for its original contribution to in-depth study and implementation of the Social Doctrine of the Church, is of proven doctrinal soundness and exceptional quality, and is accessible to the general public”.
Cardinal Parolin focused his closing keynote speech at the event on the theme of fraternity. “The awareness of our vulnerability opens us to the experience of otherness – he said - which disposes us to the gift of fraternity and to the encounter with God. In becoming close to our brothers we will rediscover ourselves, we will rediscover our most authentic humanity".
We need a culture of care
"Vulnerability is not only an ontological limit – Cardinal Parolin clarified - but it is also our openness towards the infinite, our need for love and salvation, and our profound need to be with others. In this sense, the ethics of vulnerability enhances sensitivity and tenderness, to reach a true spiritual maturity in which even the miseries of the soul are welcomed with courage and compassion".
"What we need," the Secretary of State remarked, "is to give comfort to the marginalized, despite our fragility and our limits."
Today, however, the "technocratic system, in which investments in technology influence political choices, favours efficiency and the culture of waste". The search for profit at any cost, he said, "is the root cause of financial speculation, the arms trade, environmental pollution and consequently the social injustices that cause inequality and marginalization."
Source: Vatican News and https://video.repubblica.it/vaticano/gaza-il-cardinale-parolin-30mila-morti-sono-sproporzionati-rispetto-al-diritto-alla-difesa-di-israele/462925/463889
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