Cardinal Parolin: 'A ceasefire, first step for peace in Ukraine'

By Valerio Palombaro

"We are trying to use all our creativity" to reactivate the peace negotiations in Ukraine and "the first step should be a ceasefire."  

This was reiterated by the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, speaking to journalists at the headquarters of la Civiltà Cattolica on the sidelines of the presentation of the book "The Atlas of Francis. Vatican and International Politics."

The Holy See," Cardinal Parolin recalled, "has a different vision to that of individual states" because it has "a universalist vision" and a different approach to seeking peace.

Pope Francis wants to go to both Moscow and Kyiv, "because he believes that a service to peace can only be done if he manages to meet the two presidents," Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, added the Secretary of State.

And reflecting on the ten "very intense" years of Pope Francis' pontificate being celebrated that same day, he noted that "they have given the Church the possibility of being heard in the world."

Reception

On the issue of immigration, which was also the subject of the bilateral meeting between Cardinal Parolin and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the book presentation, according to the Cardinal, it is necessary to "translate" the Pontiff's indications into the policies of States.

"It has been highlighted," he said, "how policies many times are of containment, of restriction," while "we should move to a more open, welcoming policy."

Dialogue with China

The Secretary of State, responding to another question, recalled the importance of the agreement reached during this pontificate between the Holy See and China.

The Vatican Secretary of State pointed to "an attitude of hope" and a dialogue that "both sides want to continue". "We only ask that Catholics can be Catholics with a link to the Universal Church," he summarised.

Commenting on the planned visit to Beijing at the end of April by Bishop Stephen Chow of Hong Kong, the first in many years, Cardinal Parolin described it as "the realisation of that typical dimension of the Church of Hong Kong that should be a 'bridge church' between mainland China and the Universal Church" and described it therefore as "a positive gesture."

According to the Cardinal, moreover, a trip by Pope Francis to Mongolia is "probable, although a definitive decision has not yet been made."

The synodal path in Germany

Finally on the German bishops' vote, at the end of the synod process, to approve blessings for homosexual couples, the Holy See has already expressed itself clearly on the issue, Parolin said, noting that a local church "cannot make such a decision that involves the discipline of the Universal Church."