Latest news with #PietroParolin
Herald Malaysia
6 days ago
- Politics
- Herald Malaysia
Cardinal Parolin: Enough bombs in Gaza; we call for truce in Ukraine
In an interview with Vatican News, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin calls international humanitarian law to be respected in Gaza, urges Hamas to release all hostages, condemns antisemitism, and says the Vatican is willing to host peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. May 28, 2025 Palestinians walk amid the destruction of Gaza (MAJDY JILDAH) By Andrea TornielliCardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, spoke to Vatican News about several issues currently at the center of the Holy See's attention. These include the terrible images coming from Gaza, the antisemitic attack in Washington, DC, the possibility of a peace summit on Ukraine, and the early days of Pope Leo XIV's pontificate. Q: Your Eminence, in Gaza, children are dying of hunger and the population is exhausted; bombs are falling on schools and hospitals. Yet there does not seem to be any intention to stop the bombins… What is happening in Gaza is unacceptable. International humanitarian law must always apply, and apply to everyone. We call for an end to the bombardments and for the necessary aid to reach the population: I believe the international community must do everything possible to bring this tragedy to an end. At the same time, we strongly reiterate the demand that Hamas immediately release all the hostages it still holds, and return the bodies of those who were killed after the barbaric attack of 7 October 2023 against Israel. Q: How did you react to the recent attack in Washington, in which two members of the Israeli embassy staff were killed? It shook me profoundly. Just as on 7 October, there are innocent victims—and these were also committed to peace and humanitarian initiatives. We must remain vigilant and ensure that the cancer of antisemitism, never fully defeated, does not rear its head again. Q: In recent days, after the limited results of the Istanbul meeting, the possibility of new negotiations hosted by the Vatican has been mentioned—although the Russians have already said 'no.' Can you tell us what is happening on that front? Pope Leo has offered the Holy See's full availability to host any negotiations, providing a neutral, protected venue. This was not a mediation—because a mediation must be requested by the parties. In this case, there has only been a public offer of hospitality for a possible meeting. Other potential venues are now being discussed, such as Geneva. In any event, it is not important where the negotiations between Russians and Ukrainians—negotiations we all hope for—will take place. What truly matters is that these negotiations finally begin, because it is urgent to stop the war. First and foremost, a truce is needed to end the devastation, the destroyed cities, the civilians losing their lives. Then it is urgent to reach a stable, just, and lasting peace, one accepted and agreed upon by both sides. Q: The word 'peace' was on the new Pope's lips from the very first moments of his election. Yes, Pope Leo XIV continues forcefully in the footsteps of his predecessors. It struck me that in his first Regina Caeli from the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica—exactly the spot from which Pope Francis last blessed the faithful, speaking of peace and disarmament—Pope Leo repeated Saint Paul VI's words at the UN: 'Never again war!' The Pope and the entire Holy See are committed to building peace and supporting every initiative for dialogue and negotiation. Q: Some speak of a renewed 'protagonism' of the Vatican on the world stage… I would rather refer to the profound words of Leo XIV in his homily at the Mass with the Cardinals in the Sistine Chapel and at the Mass inaugurating his pontificate: we must fade into the background because Christ is the protagonist; Christians do not feel superior to others but are called to be a 'little leaven in the dough,' bearing witness to love, unity, and peace. Rather than speak of 'protagonism,' I would place diplomatic initiatives within this context of service to peace and fraternity. Q: Addressing journalists, Pope Leo asked for a 'different kind of communication.' Is there also a 'war of words'? Journalists—and communicators in general—perform a precious task, all the more so in times of war. The Pope has asked for communication that 'is not cloaked in aggressive words' and 'never separates the search for truth from the love with which we must humbly seek it.' Words too can become instruments of war, or they can help us understand one another, to dialogue, recognizing each other as brothers and sisters. Peace begins in each of us, and we are called to build it starting with how we communicate with others. As Pope Leo explained, we must 'reject the paradigm of war' even in our communication. Q: Speaking of the search for truth: in the final days of Pope Francis's pontificate, up to the days before the conclave, there were comments about how various heads of Dicasteries in the Curia handled abuse allegations they received previously. Have these been analyzed? Regarding comments and rumors about the conduct of certain heads of Roman Curia Dicasteries in relation to abuse reports during their time as diocesan bishops, inquiries carried out by the competent bodies—through examination of objective and documentary evidence—have shown that the cases were handled ad normam iuris , that is, according to the norms in force, and were forwarded by the then-diocesan bishops to the competent Dicastery for review and evaluation of the accusations. The verifications by the authorities entrusted with the matter have definitively found no irregularities in the conduct of the diocesan bishops. Q: By choosing the name Leo, the new Pope places himself in continuity with the Pope of Rerum Novarum : at the end of the 19th century there was the Industrial Revolution; today we live in the age of the digital revolution and face the challenges posed by artificial intelligence. How should we respond to these challenges? We await the reflections that the Successor of Peter will wish to make on this. I believe the right path is neither uncritical acceptance nor demonization. The ever more sophisticated and powerful capabilities that technology offers us must remain tools used always for the good, never forgetting that we cannot delegate to a machine decisions concerning the life or death of human beings. We must remain vigilant to prevent—as unfortunately sometimes happens—the digital realm and thus artificial intelligence from being used as instruments of propaganda to influence public opinion with false messages. Recalling journalists who have been imprisoned, Leo XIV spoke of the courage 'of those who defend the dignity, justice, and right of peoples to be informed, because only informed peoples can make free choices.'--Vatican News
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Vatican offers to host Ukraine-Russia talks, urges swift peace
The Vatican on Tuesday repeated an offer to host peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Secretary of State Pietro Parolin reiterated an offer made by Pope Leo XIV to hold meetings between the warring countries in a "neutral, protected venue." At the same time, according to a report by the Italian news agency ANSA, the cardinal made it clear that the Vatican did not necessarily see itself as a mediator in the talks, and that any mediation "must be requested by the parties." Parolin pointed out that other locations such as Geneva were also under discussion. "It is not important where the negotiations between Russians and Ukrainians — negotiations we all hope for — will take place. What truly matters is that these negotiations finally begin, because it is urgent to stop the war," he said. So far, there is no date for new talks, though it has been suggested there could be a meeting in the Vatican in mid-June. During the war, which has now been ongoing for more than three years, the Holy See under the late pope Francis repeatedly attempted to mediate, but without much success.
Herald Malaysia
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Herald Malaysia
Cardinal Parolin: We hope talks in Istanbul open paths to peace
On the sidelines of an event on Ukraine at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin speaks about the direct negotiations starting Thursday in Türkiye, saying, 'We hope this is a serious starting point to end the war." May 15, 2025 Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, speaking to journalists outside the Pontifical Gregorian University By Salvatore CernuzioAll eyes are on Türkiye, a possible destination for Pope Leo XIV's first journey, marking 1,700 years since the Council of Nicaea, as well as the setting beginning on Thursday 15 May of the Istanbul summit, which hopes to bring together the presidents of Russia and Ukraine for direct negotiations aimed at achieving a ceasefire. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, answered journalists' questions on the sidelines of the event titled 'Toward a Theology of Hope for and from Ukraine,' held at the Pontifical Gregorian University and organized under the patronage of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. He shares hopes for these U.S.-mediated direct talks, which could, for the first time, see Presidents Zelensky and Putin meet in person. 'We always hope there are openings for peace,' the Cardinal told various media outlets. 'We are pleased that there is finally the possibility of a direct meeting. We hope that the existing issues can be resolved there and that a genuine peace process can begin.' According to the Secretary of State, it is 'premature' to predict what will happen, but the hope is that the meeting in Istanbul will mark 'a serious starting point' to end the war. Too early to consider a papal visit to Kyiv Cardinal Parolin also said it is 'premature' to consider a possible visit by Pope Leo XIV to Ukraine, touching on President Zelensky's invitation during a phone call on Monday morning. The Pope made impassioned appeals for the regions scarred by war during the Regina Caeli on Sunday and again in a speech earlier that day at the Jubilee of the Eastern Churches. 'He will continue, as he has done numerous times since the start of his pontificate, to call for an end to the war,' the Cardinal assured. 'We remain ready to offer spaces as well. Talking about mediation might be excessive, but at the least we are willing to offer good offices to facilitate meetings.' At the same time, the Vatican does not want 'to interfere with other ongoing initiatives.' Repatriation mechanism for children remains active The Holy See's position, said the Secretary of State, is one that 'seeks to bring the parties closer rather than create further divisions.' He confirmed that the mechanism, initiated and supported by Cardinal Matteo Zuppi's mission which has led to the repatriation of some Ukrainian children forcibly taken to Russia, remains 'active.' This mainly involves 'exchanging names via the Nunciatures, then local verification and responses.' The number of these children remains 'highly disputed,' but the key, he says, is that 'they are gradually being reunited with their families, homes, and loved ones.' Ending the conflict in Gaza Regarding the Middle East, the Pope and the Holy See will continue along the path set by Pope Francis: persistent appeals 'to end the conflict in Gaza, achieve the release of hostages,' and 'provide humanitarian aid to Gaza.' On these issues, there was 'a strong call for serious intervention' during the pre-Conclave general congregations, along with 'concern about the dwindling Christian presence in the Middle East.' 'We will need to find responses to this serious problem,' Cardinal Parolin said. Pope Leo XIV's peace efforts Avoiding questions about the content of discussions before and during the Conclave (saying with a smile, 'don't ask us questions we can't answer'), Cardinal Parolin focused instead on the newly elected Pope, who has received 'very positive' comments and reactions. 'He presented himself in a very calm manner. He is a man of peace, who desires peace, and who will build peace through the bridges he mentioned from the very first words of his greeting to the faithful.' Possible trip to Nicaea Finally, in response to a question about the Pope's first journey, the Cardinal said: 'I'm thinking of Nicaea. It's an important moment for the Catholic Church and for ecumenism. It was definitely planned that Pope Francis would go. I imagine Pope Leo will follow the same path.'--
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Diddy's Shocking Defense Strategy REVEALED; Will It Help Him Dodge Life Behind Bars?
Papal Race Heats Up As World Bets Big On Next Pope A global betting storm has erupted as the Catholic Church begins its secretive process to elect the next pope. Just hours after Pope Francis' death, online platforms like Polymarket began accepting wagers, not just on who will wear the white robe, but on everything from nationality to how many rounds of voting it'll take. US bets alone have crossed $25 million, with Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin leading the odds. Filipino Cardinal Tagle, dubbed the "Asian Francis," follows closely, while Ghana's Cardinal Turkson has become a surprise favorite. As 133 cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel, the world waits for the white smoke, and the answer to who leads next. 1.3K views | 5 days ago
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan Played 'Kingmaker' for Pope Leo
A New York Cardinal, Timothy Dolan, was instrumental in the election of Robert Prevost to be Pope Leo XIV. According to il Giornale, an Italian-language news site, the Chicago-born Prevost was not initially the favorite to be the next Pope. That honor was accorded to an Italian cardinal named Pietro Parolin, the site reported. What changed? Dolan, the former archbishop of Milwaukee, WI. According to il Giornale, the outgoing Dolan played "kingmaker." In rallying support for the first American Pope, Dolan gathered support from cardinals affiliated with the "old British empire," especially those cardinals who speak English, the site reported, Parolin had a group of supporters but not enough to reach a quorum, the site reported, and two other cardinals divided others. Meanwhile, Prevost was gathering support "in the shadows," according to il Giornale. After the first vote, Prevost began to draw support from African and Asian cardinals, according to the site. Dolan spoke about the new Pope to CNN's Erin Burnett. 'Exhausting. That's a good sense,' he said of how he was feeling. 'We've been at it pretty full time for the last 2.5 weeks.' Dolan said that 'a lot of times all we get is bleak, somber news about the church." He said there's been an 'explosion of hope and promise and unity" around Pope Leo. According to Dolan, people throughout the world viewing the white smoke surpassed the viewership of the World Cup. 'You could feel it,' he said, adding that he received a lot of emails and phone calls from people expressing solidarity. He said he knew of Prevost but thought he was a 'peripheral' candidate at first. 'I didn't kind of really zero in on him until I showed up at the congregation meetings,' after the funeral of Pope Francis, Dolan revealed. He said that people started asking Dolan about Prevost because he was born in the U.S. He said he didn't know Prevost but what he knew was 'pretty stellar.' At that point, he started getting to know Prevost better. Conclaves have been 'usually two, maybe three days,' he said. 'There must have bene somewhat of a unity or agreement from when they went in,' he said of the cardinals.
