Cardinal Parolin called the report’s findings “worrying,” noting its value as a vital source of information and analysis on global religious persecution
Newsroom (21/10/2025, Gaudium Press) Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, underscored the critical importance of religious freedom as a cornerstone of human dignity during a keynote address on Tuesday, October 21, at the launch of the 2025 Religious Freedom Report by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). Speaking at the Vatican, he described religious freedom as a “God-given” right, essential to human existence, that must remain free from personal, societal, or governmental coercion.
“Men and women everywhere deserve freedom from any form of compulsion in matters of faith, whether subtle social pressures or overt state mandates,” Cardinal Parolin declared. He emphasized that governments and communities must refrain from forcing individuals to violate their convictions or obstructing their authentic practice of faith. However, he clarified that such freedom is not a license for reckless error but an invitation to pursue truth diligently, with moral accountability.
The ACN report, marking its 25th edition, paints a sobering picture: nearly two-thirds of the global population—approximately 5.4 billion people—live in countries where serious violations of religious freedom occur. Cardinal Parolin called the report’s findings “worrying,” noting its unprecedented scope and its value as a vital source of information and analysis on global religious persecution.
Quoting Pope Leo XIV’s recent address to an ACN delegation, Cardinal Parolin highlighted the report’s role as “a powerful instrument” that amplifies the voiceless and exposes hidden suffering. The Pope, he noted, described religious freedom as an “essential bulwark” tied to humanity’s creation in God’s image, enabling individuals to pursue truth and foster equitable societies. “Without this freedom,” the cardinal warned, “the ethical fabric of society frays, leading to cycles of subjugation and conflict.”
Cardinal Parolin framed religious freedom as a non-negotiable right, grounded in two foundational documents: the Second Vatican Council’s Dignitatis Humanae, celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, and Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. He described Article 18 as a “crystalline” rejection of totalitarian ideologies responsible for atrocities like the Holocaust, affirming religious freedom as an inalienable right indispensable to human potential. Yet, he cautioned, the ACN report reveals this right as a “fragile bulwark” amid widespread adversity.
Reflecting on Dignitatis Humanae, Cardinal Parolin praised its vision of freedom balanced by responsibility, which has inspired Catholic engagement with international bodies like the United Nations and fueled movements against religious persecution. “Faith must be a free response to a divine invitation, not a coerced submission,” he said, echoing the declaration’s assertion that “truth cannot be imposed except by virtue of its own truth.”
The cardinal also stressed the role of civil authorities in embedding religious freedom in constitutions, domestic laws, and international treaties. However, he noted that this freedom is not absolute but must be balanced with “political prudence” to serve the common good, guided by moral law rooted in reason and divine revelation. Dignitatis Humanae, he added, provides rationales for safeguards to protect citizens’ rights, promote public peace, and uphold morality.
Cardinal Parolin concluded by urging continued efforts to protect and promote religious freedom, calling it a pathway to truth and deeper communion with God and neighbor. The ACN report, he said, serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing global struggle to ensure this fundamental right, reinforcing the Church’s commitment to defending it for all.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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