Rome: The Vatican has once again raised its moral voice against the devastating toll of war, with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy See’s Secretary of State, making an impassioned appeal for peace in both Gaza and Ukraine. Speaking on the sidelines of an event at Rome’s Bambino Gesù Hospital on Friday, Parolin lamented the absence of dialogue in these ongoing conflicts and urged all sides to embrace negotiations as the only pathway to peace.
Cardinal Parolin’s comments came as he blessed an image of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati at the hospital, ahead of Frassati’s canonization by Pope Leo XIV on September 7, alongside Carlo Acutis. His pastoral visit quickly turned into a moment of diplomacy, as journalists pressed him on the Vatican’s continued calls for ceasefires and humanitarian access. “Since the start of the Gaza crisis, the Holy See has repeatedly appealed for an immediate ceasefire, for humanitarian corridors, and for constructive negotiations. Yet these appeals remain echoes in the distance, drowned by the daily reality of massacres. There is currently no dialogue,” he said gravely.
The Cardinal emphasized that the Pope himself has been relentless in urging dialogue and reconciliation. Referring to recent meetings, Parolin noted, “We raised our voice strongly yesterday in our discussions with the president of Israel, and we will continue to do so in unison with the broader international community. We hope this joint effort will bear fruit.” His words reflect the Vatican’s growing concern that repeated calls for restraint and humanitarian access are not being heeded amid mounting civilian casualties.
A particular point of concern, Parolin underlined, is the situation of the Catholic parish in Gaza, which has sheltered hundreds of displaced people since the eruption of hostilities. Many of them are elderly, disabled, or otherwise unable to move. “Our concern is great,” the Cardinal said. “There are those who cannot be transferred elsewhere. We hope that all sides respect and protect them, especially the most vulnerable, who have no choice but to remain.” His appeal highlighted the moral responsibility of combatants to uphold humanitarian principles even amid warfare.
Turning to Europe’s eastern front, Cardinal Parolin reiterated the Vatican’s stance on Ukraine. He recalled that Pope Leo XIV had even offered the Vatican itself as a neutral venue for peace talks. “The position of the Holy See has always been clear: dialogue must begin. The Pope has offered the Vatican as a place where parties could meet. This demonstrates our deep willingness to assist in finding every possible path that might end this carnage.”
The Cardinal’s remarks come at a time when Western leaders have pledged ongoing military support for Ukraine, while diplomatic avenues remain stalled. By stressing the Vatican’s openness to host talks, Parolin reaffirmed the Church’s long-standing tradition of serving as a mediator in global crises.
His dual message calling for a halt to the bloodshed in Gaza and for an urgent dialogue in Ukraine underscored the Vatican’s determination to remain a moral compass in an increasingly polarized world. While acknowledging that the Holy See has no power to enforce peace, Cardinal Parolin made clear that its persistent appeals aim to awaken consciences and pressure the international community into action.
In the shadow of canonizations meant to inspire hope and faith, the Cardinal’s sobering words served as a reminder that the pursuit of sanctity must also be linked to the pursuit of peace. As the Holy See continues to amplify its voice, its plea is simple yet profound: stop the carnage, protect the vulnerable, and let dialogue lead the way.