A Ukrainian man stands
on the rubble of a damaged building in Orikhiv in the Zaporizhia region
(ANSA)
Cardinal Parolin: ‘No war is inevitable, no peace is
impossible’
In an interview with the Italian daily “La Stampa,” Cardinal
Pietro Parolin reiterates the Holy See’s unwavering commitment to peace,
warning against the normalization of war and the illusion that armed conflict
is an unavoidable solution.
By Linda Bordoni
Speaking in the wake of the stalled Istanbul summit on
Ukraine, the Vatican Secretary of State expressed concern for the stalemate and
continued violence, but also determination:
“The failure of the Istanbul summit cannot and must not mark
the end of efforts to stop the war,” he said. “The Holy See, faithful to its
mission of peace, renews its call to resist the logic of violence and the false
realism that views war as inevitable.”
Recalling the commitment of Pope Leo XIV and quoting his
words, Cardinal Parolin added, “For this peace to spread, I will devote every
effort.”
“The Holy See is available so that enemies may meet
face to face, so that hope may be restored to peoples, and dignity returned,
the dignity of peace,” he said
Just and lasting peace in Ukraine
Pope Leo XIV has consistently called for a “just and
lasting” peace in Ukraine. Asked what this means in concrete terms, Cardinal
Parolin explained:
“There is no true peace if it is only the result of imposed
solutions or mutual fear. True peace arises from deep, respectful, and serious
dialogue.”
He highlighted the fact that peace must protect the dignity
of all parties involved, “without humiliations, without conditions that leave
open wounds.”
For peace to endure, he continued, it must be “founded on
solid principles of international law, justice, and freedom, not on fragile
balances maintained by arms.”
Europe's arms race and the limits of self-defence
Addressing Europe’s increasing military spending, Cardinal
Parolin expressed concern over destabilisation:
“While it is legitimate and necessary for each country to
safeguard sovereignty and security, we must ask to what extent military buildup
fosters trust among nations and helps build lasting peace.”
He warned that excessive arms accumulation “risks fueling
the arms race and feeding fear,” potentially leading to “dramatic consequences
for all.”
“The right to self-defense is not absolute,” he stressed.
“It must be accompanied by the duty to minimize, and if possible, eliminate,
the root causes of conflict.”
Humanitarian crisis in Gaza
Regarding the situation in Gaza, Cardinal Parolin was
unequivocal:
“It is unacceptable in 2025 to witness what is happening in
Gaza, where civilians are exposed to an immense humanitarian tragedy.”
He urged the Israeli government to immediately lift the
blockade on humanitarian aid, stating that war cannot be a means of resolving
problems. The Vatican, he added, continues to support negotiated solutions.
“The two ceasefires led to the release of over 140 hostages,
showing that negotiations can be effective, even in a highly complex context,”
the Cardinal noted.
Israel-Vatican relations and Jewish-Christian dialogue
Asked whether the presence of Israeli President Isaac Herzog
at the inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV signals a “diplomatic thaw” between
the states. Cardinal Parolin affirmed that “The Holy See has never closed its
doors to anyone.”
Herzog, he added, "is the president of a State and
operates on a level different from religion, namely the political one, which
the Holy See hopes to cultivate with a view to a just and lasting peace
process, and on matters of common interest between the two States."
He also highlighted Pope Francis’ strong and consistent
stance against antisemitism and confirmed that Pope Leo XIV “will continue to
promote Jewish-Christian relations.”
Avoiding a new cold war
Asked about U.S.-China tensions that appear to intensify,
Cardinal Parolin warned against falling into a binary Cold War
mindset. “The Holy See remains convinced that dialogue is the only viable
path to prevent these divergences from turning into confrontation," he
said.
He underscored the urgency for Washington and Beijing to
continue constructive talks and to seek common ground on critical issues such
as trade and security.
“It is essential,” he said, “to avoid the risk that conflict
becomes seen as the only possible outcome,” and he called on other nations
and international institutions to reinvest in multilateralism and pursue
balanced multipolarity.
“Diplomacy, mutual respect, justice, and transparency are
essential tools,” Cardinal Parolin concluded, “in the search for solutions that
promote peace, development, and sustainability for all.”
A credible voice for peace
Reflecting on the recent presence of global leaders at the
funeral of Pope Francis and the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Parolin
saw a reaffirmation of the Vatican’s diplomatic role:
“It was a significant sign of international recognition of
the Holy See’s commitment to peace.”
The early days of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate have already
been marked by an “urgent appeal to build bridges together,” which, Parolin
noted, has “sparked interest and constructive dialogue among world leaders.”
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