Vatican City: Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, has welcomed with “general satisfaction” the peace agreement signed between Israel and Hamas in Egypt, describing it as an important “step forward” toward lasting peace in the region. Speaking to journalists at the Vatican, the Cardinal emphasized that the accord brokered with U.S. mediation offers a glimmer of hope after years of conflict and division.
Cardinal Parolin expressed optimism over the Israel-Hamas deal, underscoring that while it may only be an initial measure, it could serve as a foundation for a broader and more durable peace. “Let us hope this is indeed the first step on a path toward lasting and definitive peace,” he said.
He acknowledged, however, that the greatest challenge would lie in the implementation of the agreement. “As they say, the devil is in the details,” Parolin noted, adding that numerous aspects of the accord would require careful follow-up and mutual goodwill from both sides. “There are many points that need to be implemented and probably about which there is no perfect agreement,” he remarked. Still, he praised the fact that dialogue had yielded tangible progress and urged continued cooperation, stating, “Let’s hope we can continue in this direction.”
The Cardinal also addressed questions about a recent statement from the Israeli Embassy to the Holy See, which had criticized comments he made in an earlier interview with Vatican Media. Parolin clarified that his remarks, published by Vatican News and L’Osservatore Romano, were intended to mark the anniversary of the October 7 attacks while peace negotiations were underway in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.
“The interview was meant to show the Holy See’s presence and solidarity with what had happened,” he said, explaining that his words were not a matter of moral equivalence but a clear call for peace. “Wherever there is violence, it must be condemned,” he stressed, adding that the true purpose of his statement was to express “the desire for peace, the desire to put an end to this violence and to start a process of reconciliation.”
Turning to relations between the Holy See and China, Cardinal Parolin reaffirmed the Vatican’s commitment to maintaining dialogue through the 2017 Provisional Agreement on the appointment of bishops, which has already been renewed twice. “The experimental agreement continues to move forward,” he said, emphasizing that it remains a positive step in fostering mutual understanding.
While acknowledging that difficulties persist, particularly concerning underground Church communities, Parolin insisted that these challenges should be approached “with great patience and great trust.” The aim, he said, is to overcome divisions and normalize the life of the Church in China.
He noted that since the beginning of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate, the Vatican has continued to take small but meaningful steps toward cooperation. “The Pope will continue on this path,” Parolin said, reiterating a central message of the Holy See’s approach that Catholics can be “good believers and good citizens” simultaneously. “Being good Catholics in no way contradicts being faithful to one’s homeland and contributing to the well-being of society,” he affirmed.
Cardinal Parolin also commented on the awarding of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader and activist Maria Corina Machado, who has long campaigned for democracy and human rights in her country. Having served as Apostolic Nuncio to Venezuela from 2009 to 2013, Parolin expressed both personal and pastoral concern for the nation’s political turmoil.
“I hope this decision taken regarding Maria Corina can truly help the country,” he said, expressing his wish that the recognition would inspire national reconciliation. “May it help Venezuela regain serenity, rediscover the path of democracy, and foster cooperation among political factions,” he added.
Through his remarks, Cardinal Parolin outlined the Vatican’s consistent diplomatic approach one grounded in dialogue, reconciliation, and the pursuit of peace amid division. Whether addressing war in the Middle East, religious tensions in China, or democratic struggles in Latin America, his comments reflected the Holy See’s belief that sustained communication, mutual respect, and moral conviction remain the surest path toward a more peaceful and humane world.
Reporting by CNewsLive English | Source: Vatican News, Reuters, and official Vatican briefings.