Vatican secretary of state calls for end to Gaza bombardments

By CathNews New Zealand

May 30th, 2025

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, presides over a memorial Mass in St Peter's Basilica on April 2, 2025, marking the 20th anniversary of the death of St John Paul II. (CNS photo/Pablo Esparza)

The Vatican’s secretary of state has described the crisis in Gaza as unacceptable and has called for bombing by Israel to cease. Source: Vatican News.

In a Q&A with Vatican News, Cardinal Pietro Parolin was asked about the crisis in Gaza, where children are dying of hunger and the population is exhausted, with bombs falling on schools and hospitals.

“What is happening in Gaza is unacceptable,” said Cardinal Parolin. “International humanitarian law must always apply, and apply to everyone. We call for an end to the bombardments and for the necessary aid to reach the population. I believe the international community must do everything possible to bring this tragedy to an end.

“At the same time,” Cardinal Parolin added, “we strongly reiterate the demand that Hamas immediately release all the hostages it still holds, and return the bodies of those who were killed after the barbaric attack of October 7, 2023 against Israel.”

Cardinal Parolin said that he was profoundly shaken at the recent killing of two Israeli embassy staff in Washington, DC.

“Just as on October 7, there are innocent victims – and these were also committed to peace and humanitarian initiatives. We must remain vigilant and ensure that the cancer of antisemitism, never fully defeated, does not rear its head again,” the cardinal said.

Referring to the war between Russia and Ukraine and reports that Russia turned down an offer by the Vatican to host negotiations between the two nations, Cardinal Parolin said “Pope Leo has offered the Holy See’s full availability to host any negotiations, providing a neutral, protected venue”.

“This was not a mediation – because a mediation must be requested by the parties. In this case, there has only been a public offer of hospitality for a possible meeting. Other potential venues are now being discussed, such as Geneva.

“In any event, it is not important where the negotiations between Russians and Ukrainians – negotiations we all hope for – will take place. What truly matters is that these negotiations finally begin, because it is urgent to stop the war.

“First and foremost, a truce is needed to end the devastation, the destroyed cities, the civilians losing their lives. Then it is urgent to reach a stable, just and lasting peace, one accepted and agreed upon by both sides.”

FULL STORY

Cardinal Parolin: Enough bombs in Gaza; we call for truce in Ukraine (By Andrea Tornielli/Vatican News)