Vatican affirms Ukraine's right to self-defence amid conflict
The Vatican's Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, stated in an interview with "La Repubblica" that denying Ukrainians the right to defend themselves would be "inhumane." He also affirmed that the Holy See "clearly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine."
What you need to know
- Cardinal Pietro Parolin discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine in an interview published on Friday in the newspaper "La Repubblica".
- According to him, the Holy See supports Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
- The Vatican's Secretary of State also addressed the situation in the Gaza Strip.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, addressing the topic of Russia's war against Ukraine.
He stated that the Holy See is very concerned "about the risk of an escalation of the conflict" in Ukraine, which would cause "further suffering and new victims," while it recognizes that "it would be inhumane to deny Ukrainians the right to defend themselves."
"It's up to Ukrainians to decide"
"Stressing the 'starting point,' namely that the Holy See 'clearly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine,' Cardinal Parolin notes that 'it is up to the Ukrainians themselves to decide what they are willing to negotiate or potentially concede from their perspective.' A just and lasting peace, according to the Vatican diplomat, will only be possible if founded "on respect for justice and international law" - reports Vatican News.
Referring to the new policy of the United States government, which cut funds to the government aid agency USAID, Cardinal Parolin noted: - It is clear that the current U.S. Administration's approach is very different from what we are used to.
He emphasized that people are suffering greatly due to the reduction in humanitarian aid funds.
The Gaza Strip conflict
The Secretary of State of the Holy See also addressed the situation in the Gaza Strip, where the armed conflict between Israel and Palestinian Hamas has resumed after a short break. - The data and images from there are humanly horrific and morally unacceptable - he said.
Asked whether this can be described as genocide, Cardinal Parolin replied that this is a term of international law. He also added that as the Holy Father stated, the assessment of Israeli military operations does not come from a personal opinion, but from the study of facts and norms by competent institutions.
