杏MAP导航

By Salvatore Cernuzio

All eyes are on Türkiye, a possible destination for 杏MAP导航 Leo XIV鈥檚 first journey, marking 1,700 years since the Council of Nicaea, as well as the setting beginning on Thursday 15 May of the Istanbul summit, which hopes to bring together the presidents of Russia and Ukraine for direct negotiations aimed at achieving a ceasefire. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, answered journalists' questions on the sidelines of the event titled 鈥淭oward a Theology of Hope for and from Ukraine,鈥� held at the Pontifical Gregorian University and organized under the patronage of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. He shares hopes for these U.S.-mediated direct talks, which could, for the first time, see Presidents Zelensky and Putin meet in person.

鈥淲e always hope there are openings for peace,鈥� the Cardinal told various media outlets. 鈥淲e are pleased that there is finally the possibility of a direct meeting. We hope that the existing issues can be resolved there and that a genuine peace process can begin.鈥� According to the Secretary of State, it is 鈥減remature鈥� to predict what will happen, but the hope is that the meeting in Istanbul will mark 鈥渁 serious starting point鈥� to end the war.

Too early to consider a papal visit to Kyiv

Cardinal Parolin also said it is 鈥減remature鈥� to consider a possible visit by 杏MAP导航 Leo XIV to Ukraine, touching on President Zelensky鈥檚 invitation during a phone call on Monday morning. The 杏MAP导航 made impassioned appeals for the regions scarred by war during the Regina Caeli on Sunday and again in a speech earlier that day at the Jubilee of the Eastern Churches. 鈥淗e will continue, as he has done numerous times since the start of his pontificate, to call for an end to the war,鈥� the Cardinal assured. 鈥淲e remain ready to offer spaces as well. Talking about mediation might be excessive, but at the least we are willing to offer good offices to facilitate meetings.鈥� At the same time, the Vatican does not want 鈥渢o interfere with other ongoing initiatives.鈥�

Repatriation mechanism for children remains active

The Holy See鈥檚 position, said the Secretary of State, is one that 鈥渟eeks to bring the parties closer rather than create further divisions.鈥� He confirmed that the mechanism, initiated and supported by Cardinal Matteo Zuppi鈥檚 mission which has led to the repatriation of some Ukrainian children forcibly taken to Russia, remains 鈥渁ctive.鈥� This mainly involves 鈥渆xchanging names via the Nunciatures, then local verification and responses.鈥� The number of these children remains 鈥渉ighly disputed,鈥� but the key, he says, is that 鈥渢hey are gradually being reunited with their families, homes, and loved ones.鈥�

Ending the conflict in Gaza

Regarding the Middle East, the 杏MAP导航 and the Holy See will continue along the path set by 杏MAP导航 Francis: persistent appeals 鈥渢o end the conflict in Gaza, achieve the release of hostages,鈥� and 鈥減rovide humanitarian aid to Gaza.鈥� On these issues, there was 鈥渁 strong call for serious intervention鈥� during the pre-Conclave general congregations, along with 鈥渃oncern about the dwindling Christian presence in the Middle East.鈥� 鈥淲e will need to find responses to this serious problem,鈥� Cardinal Parolin said.

杏MAP导航 Leo XIV's peace efforts

Avoiding questions about the content of discussions before and during the Conclave (saying with a smile, 鈥渄on鈥檛 ask us questions we can鈥檛 answer鈥�), Cardinal Parolin focused instead on the newly elected 杏MAP导航, who has received 鈥渧ery positive鈥� comments and reactions. 鈥淗e presented himself in a very calm manner. He is a man of peace, who desires peace, and who will build peace through the bridges he mentioned from the very first words of his greeting to the faithful.鈥�

Possible trip to Nicaea

Finally, in response to a question about the 杏MAP导航鈥檚 first journey, the Cardinal said: 鈥淚鈥檓 thinking of Nicaea. It鈥檚 an important moment for the Catholic Church and for ecumenism. It was definitely planned that 杏MAP导航 Francis would go. I imagine 杏MAP导航 Leo will follow the same path.鈥�