Cardinal Parolin: ceasefire urgent in Israel-Palestine violence

By Vatican News staff writer

The Pope and the Holy See are "very concerned" about what is happening in the Holy Land where the escalation of violence between Israel and Hamas is continuing.

The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, expressed his worries on Tuesday on the sidelines of an event to present a book dedicated to the former director of the Vatican’s L'Osservatore Romano newspaper, Mario Agnes, at the Italian embassy to the Holy See in Rome.

Cardinal Parolin reiterated the urgency of a truce and expressed deep concern over the explosive situation, which, he said, continues "despite the efforts of the international community to bring about a ceasefire".

Ruin and death

"This conflict is bringing ruin as well as deaths," Cardinal Parolin lamented, recalling Pope Francis who during his Angelus on Sunday drew the attention of the world to children being killed in the conflict.

"Our concern is that of the Holy Father and the commitment to do everything possible to stop the conflict," said the Vatican Secretary of State.

The two-state solution

To journalists asking him whether the Holy See would act as a mediator in the Israeli-Palestinian question, the Vatican’s top diplomat said, “It seems to me that someone has said they don’t want any interference. But certainly, we must take any action that can, first of all, help lead to a ceasefire, to put an end to this long-standing conflict, to reach a resolution according to the two-state solution".

Looking to the EU

Cardinal Parolin also said he is looking forward to the meeting on Saturday between Pope Francis and the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, whom he will also meet. 

He said it will be a new opportunity to discuss the crisis. “Certainly, I will also talk with her about the Israeli-Palestinian question. We will have to join forces to try to stop this crisis,” Cardinal Parolin added.