Vatican's Cardinal Parolin Laments Russia's Absence at Swiss Peace Conference for Ukraine and Emphasizes Dialogue for Peace

Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, reiterated the Pope’s message that the only means capable of achieving "true, stable and just peace" is dialogue between all the parties involved.
The cardinal was speaking to world leaders gathered for a high-level Conference for Peace in Ukraine, during its Final Plenary Session held in Switzerland on 15-16 June. Cardinal Pietro Parolin also reaffirmed the Holy See’s commitment to maintain “regular communication with the Ukrainian and Russian authorities,” and assist in potential mediation initiatives.
The Holy See delegation headed by Cardinal Parolin was accompanied by the Apostolic Nuncio to Switzerland, Archbishop Martin Krebs, and by Monsignor Paul Butnaru, an official of the Section for Relations with States and International Organizations of the Secretariat of State, was present as an observer at the Summit having accepted the joint invitation of the President of the Swiss Confederation and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The cardinal reaffirmed the Holy See's presence and willingness to assist diplomacy and humanitarian efforts in any way, However, he Holy See did not sign the Summit’s Final Communiqué in line with its observer status.
In his speech, Cardinal Parolin said he welcomed the initiative that he said was “carefully prepared by Ukraine, which, while making enormous efforts to defend itself from aggression, has also worked continuously on the diplomatic front, eager to achieve a just and lasting peace.”
Expressing his belief that in the face of war, it is crucial to continue to seek ways to end the conflict “with good intentions, trust and creativity.”
He recalled that this message is conveyed repeatedly by Pope Francis whose appeals, particularly to the leaders of nations, emphasise that “the only means capable of achieving true, stable and just peace is dialogue between all the parties involved.”
The Cardinal noted that “in accordance with its nature, the Holy See is participating as an Observer, paying particular attention to the respect for international law and humanitarian issues.”
Thus, with regard to the first aspect, he reaffirmed “the validity of the fundamental principle of respect for the sovereignty of each country and for the integrity of its territory. “
Repatriation of children
The Cardinal also said the Holy See is greatly concerned about the tragic humanitarian consequences of the war “and is especially committed to facilitating the repatriation of children and encouraging the release of prisoners, especially seriously wounded soldiers and civilians.”
He stressed the importance of the reunification of minors with their families or legal guardians and “any exploitation of their situation is unacceptable.”
 Cardinal Parolin called for the strengthening of every available channel to facilitate this process.
He explained that the Holy See participates as an observer in the work of the International Coalition for the repatriation of Ukrainian children from Russia and maintains direct contact with both the Ukrainian and Russian authorities aiming to enhance “the effectiveness of the ad hoc mechanism created following the visit of Cardinal Matteo Zuppi to Kyiv and Moscow, with a view to resolving concrete cases.”
The Vatican Secretary of State also turned his attention to the plight of civilian and military prisoners expressing concern “over the periodic reports of non-compliance with the Geneva Conventions.”
“In particular about the Fourth Convention, which most directly concerns civilians, and the difficulty of creating, together with the International Red Cross Committee, a Joint Medical Commission that could assess the situation of prisoners of war in need of urgent medical care,” he said.
Holy See’s commitment
The Cardinal reaffirmed the Holy See’s commitment “to maintaining regular communication with the Ukrainian and Russian authorities, and remains prepared to assist in the implementation of potential mediation initiatives that are acceptable to all parties and benefit those who have been affected.”
At the same time, he added, it encourages countries and other members of the international community “to explore ways of providing assistance and facilitating mediation, whether of a humanitarian or political nature.”
“On behalf of Pope Francis,” Cardinal Parolin concluded, “I wish to confirm his personal closeness to the tormented Ukrainian people and his unwavering commitment to peace. Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, upheld the high-level Conference for Peace in Ukraine held in Switzerland over the weekend, describing it as “useful”, but with “the limitation, noted by many of the participants, of not having Russia’s presence.”
“Peace is always made together,” he said.
Later on, on the sidelines of an event at the Italian Senate dedicated to peacemaking, Cardinal Parolin commented on the high-level Conference for Peace.  Cardinal Parolin, upheld the high-level Conference for Peace in Ukraine held in Switzerland over the weekend, describing it as “useful”, but with “the limitation, noted by many of the participants, of not having Russia’s presence.”
When asked about the debate among political forces in Italy on sending arms to Ukraine, the Secretary of State emphasized that "the only way to solve this problem is to come together and start talking without conditions; only then the sending of arms can also be stopped."
However, the Vatican Secretary of State said, the first step is "to be able to start negotiations between the two parties [Russia and Ukraine] even in a very discreet and confidential manner. That the two parties begin to talk to each other."
Lastly, Parolin confirmed his visit to Lebanon, which, as anticipated by Lebanese media, should take place at the end of June.
It is not a diplomatic visit, nor a mission for peace in the Holy Land, in light of recent tensions with Israel that seem to shift the axis of conflict in the Middle East.
"I was invited time back by the local Order of Malta to visit their works, which have a great social impact in a situation of total crisis. The Lebanese crisis is 360°, and certainly, there we will try to work a little to help, as the Holy See's diplomacy has always done, to find an institutional solution."
After the meeting at the Senate Cardinal Parolin participated in an event, together with Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, with a multi-faceted programme dedicated to humanitarian and ethical issues.
"Any situation where there is the danger that conflicts will widen, deepen, and fester can only produce great unease," the Vatican Secretary of State said answering a question about the implications of an Israeli offensive in Lebanon.
"The visit was planned,” he explained, “not linked to the political situation, but it will have a diplomatic dimension."
Cardinal Parolin expressed his hope that recent events, including the Pope’s participation at the G7 Summit and his presence at the Peace Conference in Switzerland, "may leave something... That the sowing that has been done may bear fruit."
In his intervention at the Senate event Cardinal Parolin appealed to all Christians: "In this time marked by war, it is urgent that they take to heart the cause of peace."
"The skies of many nations are darkened by the clouds of wars that prevent people from living in harmony," the cardinal emphasized, adding that "We witness the proliferation of new trenches in our world and the tendency to stiffen in ideological positions"; therefore, there is a need for a commitment to "sensitize those who administer justice and politics to act consistently, inspired by the Gospel and ethical principles."
"Our destiny," he said, "is not death but life, not hatred but fraternity, not conflict but harmony (…) Peace is the star that illuminates and guides the fate of the whole earth. May the weapons that offend God and violate human dignity fall from our hands."

CombinedVatican News reports