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
“While I reaffirm the inalienable right to self-defence, war is always a failure of humanity as a whole and not just of the individual parties involved.” All wars are in contradiction with human dignity and “are not destined by their nature to solve problems, but rather to exacerbate them.” The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Read more
Cardinal Pietro Parolin denounced the October 7 Hamas attacks against Israel and all forms of antisemitism while raising concerns about Israel’s assertion of self-defence amidst the “carnage” inflicted on Gaza. Questioning the proportionality of Israel’s military operation, Parolin highlighted the significant death toll. “Israel’s right of self-defence which has been invoked to justify this operation Read more
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin expressed surprise and sorrow at the news of the death of prominent Russian dissident Alexei Navalny. “I saw it on the news. What can I say? I am very sorry; I thought the matter could have been resolved differently. Instead, this news surprises us and fills us with Read more
In a wide-ranging message to COP28 delegates, Pope Francis added his voice to calls for an end to fossil fuels and for “debt forgiveness” for poorer countries hit by climate change. As illness prevented Francis from attending COP28, he deputed Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin (pictured) to deliver his speech. Francis, who has made Read more
Some German Synodal Path suggestions for change won’t be happening, says the Vatican. Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, has written an official note to the German Bishops’ Conference secretary general, Beate Gilles to clarify the Vatican’s stance on the German Synodal Path reform proposals. Non-negotiable issues Some issues are “non-negotiable”, Parolin told Gilles, Read more
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, strongly denounced the recent Hamas attack on Israel, labelling it as “inhuman”. “The release of Israeli hostages and the protection of innocent lives in Gaza are at the heart of the problem created by Hamas’ attack and the response of the Israeli army,” said Parolin. “They are Read more