Cardinal Pietro Parolin spoke at a book launch at the University of Rome on international concerns, calling for urgent measures to prevent a further escalation of the war in Ukraine and underscoring the need to end the conflict.
Vatican News
Vatican City, Saturday, November 23, 2024 (REI): The Vatican Secretary of State did not comment on the decision of the International Criminal Court to issue an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accused of crimes of war in Gaza, but it did. He will not comment on the International Criminal Court’s decision to issue an arrest warrant against Israel accused of war crimes in Gaza. He expressed the Holy See’s deep concern over recent developments in the United States, including the deployment of long-range missiles and the increasing deployment of missiles. risk of widespread global conflict.
Speaking at a book launch in Rome on Friday, Cardinal Parolin responded to Pope Francis’ comments on whether the Israeli war in Gaza, where the death toll has reached more than 44,000, can be classified as “genocide.”
“The Holy See has expressed the position of the Holy See,” he said, “that these cases must be studied in depth because there are technical criteria to define the concept of genocide.”
concern for Ukraine
Cardinal Parolin further said that the Vatican has “taken note” of Netanyahu’s arrest warrant and reiterated that his main concern is ending the war.
He expressed concern about Putin’s threats about the situation in Ukraine and the possible consequences of the decision to fire British- and American-made missiles into Russian territory and a global conflict.
Cardinal Parolin stated: “I echo the Pope’s thoughts and concerns: we must stop in time. “This growth could get out of control, with consequences that no one can foresee.”
Prisoner exchange and child repatriation
Reflecting on the brutality of the war, the Cardinal said: “It is difficult to say that there has ever been a worse time than this war,” adding: “Current events are certainly very disturbing.”
The Secretary of State of the Holy See confirmed that the Holy See will continue its efforts to facilitate prisoner exchanges and the safe return of Ukrainian children forcibly taken to Russia.
Although nothing new has emerged on these fronts, it confirmed the determination of the Holy See to continue these efforts. He said it is a humanitarian issue, but it is also a step “towards final negotiations.”
The Pope’s words on Gaza
Speaking about Pope Francis’ comments on the situation in Gaza, where the death toll has reached more than 44,000, Cardinal Parolin said the Pope had cited the opinions of “experts” who suggest that events in Gaza may reach be a genocide.
He explained that “the Holy See reiterates the position of the Holy See and underlines the need for a careful study based on the technical criteria defined by international legal norms,” and stressed that the Pope’s comments are in line with the constant position of the Holy See. , which requires rigorous investigation before drawing conclusions on such serious matters.
Firm stance against anti-Semitism
On the issue of anti-Semitism, Cardinal Parolin reaffirmed the Holy See’s firm condemnation of the incident.
He said: “The position of the Holy See is clear: we have always condemned anti-Semitism and will continue to do so, promoting the conditions for its clear rejection and combating it in all its forms.”
