Cardinal Fernando Filoni, a former Vatican diplomat, suggested that the Holy See is open to alternatives to its long-held support for a two-state solution, provided they respect the rights and existence of both sides.

"You cannot negate Palestinians the right to exist, and you cannot deny Israelis the right to exist, both of them, in peace" said Filoni, the Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

"You cannot say we want the destruction of Israel - this always generates new violence. Just as you cannot say we want to destroy the Palestinians - you can't say this" the Cardinal emphasised.

Recognition and coexistence

When questioned whether two separate states remain viable, Filoni responded "I don't know if two states are better than one, integrated. They are two realities that live in the same territory."

The cardinal stressed the paramount importance of mutual recognition and coexistence with justice, rather than the specific political framework.

"The right to existence must be guaranteed by all" he insisted.

Filoni's one-state solution remarks hint at a potential shift from the Vatican's decades-long public endorsement of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. As recently as last year, Pope Francis reaffirmed the Vatican's backing for the two-state solution.

Filoni said the first and most important thing to work for is coexistence. "Always in the right of all to live with justice and the recognition of everyone's rights because, if this is lacking, two states or three states, problems would exist."

Role of surrounding countries

The cardinal said surrounding countries such as Jordan also have a role to play in the current conflict in Gaza. He also said that longstanding regional alliances can help alleviate the situation for those bearing the brunt of the violence.

To this end, he noted that Jordan runs a hospital in Gaza that is still operational amid the current war. The pastor of Gaza has taken people to that hospital for treatment.

The Holy See diplomat, formerly the Vatican's ambassador to Iraq and Jordan, called for dialogue and gradually overcoming tensions. "We must want it, we must work for this" he said of achieving peace.

Sources

Crux

Religion News Service

CathNews New Zealand

The Pope has made it clear that pursuing peace is a top priority.

Meanwhile, Vatican officials are working tirelessly to promote peace through various channels.

"I encourage faithful to take only one side in this conflict, the side of peace" Francis said during his weekly audience on October 18.

Vatican diplomats have aligned with international voices in urging a renewed pursuit of a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

They are advocating for the establishment of a viable Palestinian state alongside security assurances for Israel. This is a stance consistent with the Holy See's position since 2013.

Pope Francis also urged the faithful to support the cause of peace. He emphasised the importance of dialogue to end the cycle of violence.

During a visit to a military cemetery on All Souls Day, Francis commented "Wars are always a defeat, always. There is never a total victory. One side wins over the other. But behind that, there is always defeat in the price that has to be paid."

Francis has also called for a ceasefire in Gaza and the creation of humanitarian corridors to help relieve the suffering of its besieged inhabitants.

Serious concern

Meanwhile, Vatican diplomats have engaged with world leaders, including US President Joe Biden and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to promote this message of peace.

The Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, expressed serious concern to Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian about the situation in Israel and Palestine.

In response to the conflict in Ukraine, Pope Francis appointed Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, the Archbishop of Bologna, as his personal peace envoy.

It remains unclear whether the pope will appoint another envoy for the Mideast. However, Zuppi has weighed in on the hostilities in Gaza. He underlined the need "for an authoritative Palestinian leadership that is capable of defending its people."

Francis admitted to Italian news channel TG1 that, without paths for dialogue, "the war in the Holy Land scares me" and talked about his concerns for an escalation of the conflict.

"The time is very dark" he said. "We can't seem to find the ability to think clearly and I will add that it's a further defeat. It's been this way since the last world war, from 1945 until now, one defeat after the other because wars never stopped."

Sources

Religion News Service

Reuters