Responding to questions asked by journalists following the Mass on the Memorial of Saint Mo-nica, celebrated at the Basilica of Saint Augu-stine in Campo Marzio, Rome, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin expresses hopes in echoing Pope Leo’s appeal that a “collective punishment” in the Middle East would be avoided, and that a cea-sefire and “safe access” to humanitarian aid would be achieved.
I would like to recall the appeal made by the Pope this morning during the General Audience, which reflects the Holy See’s thinking on the situation in Gaza,” Cardinal Parolin explained. He recalled how the Pope, along with the Greek Orthodox and Latin Patriarchs, had called for “an end to the war” and had spoken out “against the dis-placement of the population of Gaza.”
The Cardinal emphasized that “there are many possible solutions, solutions that could truly end this situation,” but he denounced the weight of various “political,” “economic,” “power-related,” and “hegemonic” interests that are obstructing “a humane resolution to this tragedy.”
- H.E. Pietro Cardinal Parolin
Secretary of State
