During the presentation of a book at the university in Tim, Cardinal Pietro Parolin commented on recent developments in the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
The War in Ukraine
Responding to recent decisions by the British and American governments allowing the firing of long-range Western missiles into Russian Federation territory, and Russian President Putin’s threats of retaliation, he stated:
“I echo the thoughts and concerns of the Holy Father: we must stop now, while there is still time. This escalation could spiral out of control, with consequences no one can foresee.”
He further elaborated on the progression of the conflict:
“It’s hard to say if there has ever been a worse time during this war. The current developments are certainly deeply troubling.”
The Cardinal also noted that the Holy See is continuously working to secure the return of children forcibly taken from Ukraine to Russia. Although there has been little progress thus far, he expressed determination to continue the process and hope that such efforts might pave the way toward eventual ceasefire negotiations.
The War in Gaza
Commenting on the Pope’s words regarding the potential genocide in Gaza, where the death toll has exceeded 44,000 and many of the victims are children and civilians, he explained:
“The Holy Father has reiterated the position of the Holy See, emphasizing the need for careful study based on technical criteria defined by international legal standards,”
He emphasized that the Pope’s remarks reflect the Vatican’s consistent stance, which advocates for a rigorous investigation before drawing conclusions on such serious matters.
In response to questions about an arrest warrant issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Cardinal Parolin stressed that the primary concern remains stopping the war.
On the issue of antisemitism, the Cardinal clarified:
“The position of the Holy See is clear. We have always denounced antisemitism and will continue to do so, fostering conditions for its unequivocal rejection and combating it in every form.”
