Cardinal Parolin urges calm dialogue amid US–Europe tensions, calls for respect for law, press responsibility, and peace efforts from Gaza to Venezuela.
Newsroom (22/01/2026 Gaudium Press ) At an event in Rome marking the 25th anniversary of the Observatory for Independent Thinking, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin delivered a measured but pointed reflection on the fragility of international relations. Speaking on January 21 on the sidelines of the gathering, titled “An International Dialogue to Connect Young People to the Future,” Parolin cautioned that rising discord between the United States and Europe could deepen global unease at a time of widespread instability.
“Tensions are not healthy and create a climate that worsens an international situation that is already serious,” he told journalists. “It is important to discuss the controversial points, but without entering into polemics and without fueling tensions.” His remarks underscored the Holy See’s long-standing diplomatic instinct—dialogue over confrontation.
Invitation to the Board of Peace on Gaza
Cardinal Parolin confirmed that the Vatican has been formally invited to join U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed Board of Peace for Gaza, an initiative reportedly discussed by several governments, including Italy. The Holy See, he said, is still considering its response.
“It is an issue that requires some time to be properly assessed,” he explained. While making clear that the Vatican cannot participate financially—“We are not even in a position to do so”—Parolin indicated that Rome’s involvement would be moral and political rather than economic. “We are in a different situation from other countries,” he said, adding that what matters most is the Church’s commitment to peace.
Respect for International Law
Asked to comment on the U.S. president’s statement in Davos—“I love Europe but I don’t like the direction it is taking”—Parolin struck a cautious tone. “That is his point of view,” he remarked. “What matters is respect for international law. This is the essential point, beyond personal feelings… what is important is respect for the rules of the international community.”
Freedom of the Press and Responsible Journalism
Turning his attention to the role of the media, Parolin framed trust and responsibility as twin pillars of a healthy public sphere. “Trust in the media is extremely important,” he said, “but equally important is responsible use of the press. That is the key: to build up rather than polarize or destroy.”
His comments resonated as a subtle warning about the corrosive effects of misinformation and polemical journalism in shaping global discourse—a theme increasingly central to Vatican communications under Pope Francis.
Venezuela: A Country in Crisis
Drawing on his own experience as Apostolic Nuncio in Caracas from 2009 to 2013, Parolin offered a poignant reflection on Venezuela’s ongoing political turmoil. “It is a beautiful country… an unforgettable experience,” he said. He recalled how tensions escalated during Hugo Chávez’s presidency, as bishops clashed with political authorities. “Now we find ourselves in this new situation of enormous uncertainty,” he added. “What matters is to respond to the needs of the people, who are living through a profound crisis.”
Iran and the “Third World War Fought Piecemeal”
On the protests and political unrest in Iran, Parolin reiterated the Church’s humanitarian lens: “A crisis brings unspeakable suffering for the population. Our attention is on people—we must not think in terms of numbers, but of faces.” He referenced Pope Francis’s oft-quoted warning about “a Third World War fought piecemeal,” noting that it has become, unfortunately, a present-day reality. Yet he lamented that such phrases often turn into hollow slogans “without solutions being found.”
On nuclear weapons, Parolin reaffirmed the Vatican’s categorical opposition: “We must reduce armaments, because once they exist, they are used. The Holy See upholds the immorality not only of the use but also of the possession of nuclear weapons.”
The Path to Peace in the Middle East
Parolin closed his reflections on the cornerstone issue of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, calling its settlement “the key to peace throughout the Middle East.” The Vatican, he noted, has recognized the State of Palestine for a decade and continues to advocate the two-state formula as the only viable solution. “We still consider the formula of two peoples in two states feasible,” he said. “What is needed is creativity—to find an approach that ensures Palestinians the right to live in peace in their own land.”
Parolin’s message—rooted in moderation, legality, and human dignity—echoes the Vatican’s enduring view of diplomacy as moral pedagogy. In a global climate marked by rivalry and mistrust, his appeal for dialogue and responsible leadership stands as both guidance and rebuke to a fractured international community.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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