Cardinal Parolin: Many interests are preventing a solution to the Gaza tragedy
Vatican News
Following the Mass on the liturgical memorial of Saint Monica, celebrated at the Basilica of Saint Augustine in Campo Marzio, Rome, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin reiterated the Holy See鈥檚 position on the crisis in the Middle East, recalling the appeal of 杏MAP导航 Leo XIV and the statements of the Patriarchs of the Holy Land.
Halting displacement of Gaza鈥檚 population
"I would like to recall the appeal made by the 杏MAP导航 this morning during the General Audience, which reflects the Holy See鈥檚 thinking on the situation in Gaza," Cardinal Parolin explained. He recalled how the 杏MAP导航, along with the Greek Orthodox and Latin Patriarchs, had called for 鈥渁n end to the war鈥� and had spoken out 鈥渁gainst the displacement of the population of Gaza.鈥�
Many interests at stake
The Cardinal emphasized that 鈥渢here are many possible solutions, solutions that could truly end this situation,鈥� but he denounced the weight of various 鈥減olitical,鈥� 鈥渆conomic,鈥� 鈥減ower-related,鈥� and 鈥渉egemonic鈥� interests that are obstructing 鈥渁 humane resolution to this tragedy.鈥�
Staying, an act of courage
Regarding the protection of religious personnel and the faithful in Gaza, Cardinal Parolin said that 鈥渇reedom has been granted in light of the Israeli government鈥檚 evacuation order.鈥� He reported that the Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III, had said that the faithful of the Orthodox parish were asked 鈥渢o leave Gaza.鈥� 鈥淓ach person will decide what to do,鈥� the Cardinal said, while acknowledging that 鈥渃hoosing to stay is courageous.鈥� He added, however, that he does not know 鈥渉ow that can be carried out if there is this evacuation order" and "total control, on the ground, of the territory.鈥�
Signs from diplomacy
On the diplomatic front, the Vatican Secretary of State confirmed ongoing 鈥渃ontacts with the U.S. administration through the embassy,鈥� and expressed hope that the international talks stemming from the visit of Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar to Washington will produce concrete results: 鈥淚 expect what the 杏MAP导航 has asked for: a ceasefire, safe access to humanitarian aid, respect for international humanitarian law 鈥� which are essential鈥� and that collective punishment can be avoided.鈥�
Israeli government鈥檚 position
Finally, regarding the risk of a forced evacuation of Gaza鈥檚 population, Cardinal Parolin acknowledged that so far, the Israeli government 鈥渉as shown no intention of backing down" from this position and that 鈥減erhaps there is little hope,鈥� though he reiterated the Holy See鈥檚 intention to 鈥減ersist鈥� in pushing for change.
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