Speaking of genocide in the context of the Israeli army’s treatment of people living in the Gaza Strip is “disgraceful” says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He slammed the Pope’s call last week for the global community to study whether Israel’s military campaign in Gaza constituted genocide of the Palestinian people. The G word The Read more
On Thursday, the Czech Republic signed a treaty on its relations with the Vatican, becoming one of the last European Union countries to do so. The lower chamber of Parliament rejected the treaty in 2003, saying the Catholic Church would receive preferential treatment over other churches and that it would be disadvantageous for the country, Read more
Amid ongoing and potentially escalating conflict in both the Middle East and Ukraine, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin cautioned gathered delegates at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York Sept 28 that, “peace is only possible if it is wanted.” While it was earlier rumoured that Pope Francis might Read more
US Cardinal Robert McElroy has urged the Catholic Church to promote peace and active nonviolence rather than refining just war theory. “In the life of the church, just war theories are a secondary element in Catholic teaching; the first is that we should not engage in warfare at all” he said in an interview with Read more
The Vatican’s top diplomat cautioned against actions that would escalate conflict in the Middle East in a Monday morning phone call with Iran’s new president. Cardinal Pietro Parolin’s Aug. 12 conversation with President Masoud Pezeshkian was well-timed. Iran is widely believed to be preparing to attack Israel following the July 31 assassination of Hamas political Read more
The Vatican has called for restraint in the Middle East as tensions escalate following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin directly urged Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian not to retaliate. Parolin stressed the need to avoid further conflict. This message was conveyed during a phone call Read more
The Vatican has strongly criticised the application of the “just war” theory to justify modern conflicts, particularly in Gaza. The Justice and Peace Commission of the Holy Land recently issued a document condemning the misuse of this concept which is deeply rooted in Catholic doctrine. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin echoed these concerns, Read more
The Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has formally charged Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganó with schism. This could lead to his excommunication and removal from the clerical state. On 20th May, senior officers of the Vatican’s Dicastery opened an extrajudicial penal trial against Viganó. The decree states that this process was deemed appropriate Read more
According to Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, Pope Francis would travel to China immediately – if the Chinese were open to it. This was reported by the Vatican News portal (Friday). However, Parolin does not have the impression that the conditions for realising this wish have been met so far. Pope Francis repeatedly emphasises Read more
The Vatican and China are signalling a potential thaw in their historically strained relationship, with both sides expressing a willingness to work together. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, has proposed the establishment of a permanent Vatican office in Beijing. This is a significant gesture towards deeper diplomatic ties. Parolin reaffirmed that the Read more