On the sidelines of a study day at the Vatican Apostolic Library Cardinal Pietro Parolin responds to journalists' questions. He expresses his hope that in the Holy Land, Holy Week celebrations can at least be celebrated inside sacred sites.
Vatican News “Put an end to this foolishness that is war.” This was the appeal Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin voiced to a group of journalists, on the sidelines of a study day dedicated to the statesman Alcide De Gasperi, held at the Vatican Apostolic Library on March 26. He expressed that his thoughts are with the Holy Land, which is preparing to live through a Holy Week with significant limitations and restrictions due to the war. The Cardinal also expressed hope that “at least within” the holy sites, such as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, “the rituals may still be celebrated.” Looking ahead to Easter, Cardinal Parolin renewed the call to end violence. “Easter is the feast of peace, the peace of the risen Lord, and therefore," he said, "it is a special occasion to renew this invitation and put an end to this foolishness that is war.” Collaboration for the common good in Italy Turning to Italian politics, just days after the outcome of the referendum on justice, which resulted in a victory for the "No" vote, Cardinal Parolin noted that it is "always difficult to speak about Italian affairs.” He commented on the "great interest" shown by Italians in the referendum vote, expressed through "significant participation.” “I think we were all a bit surprised by the percentage of people who voted,” said the Vatican Secretary of State to journalists. “I think that, truly, the wisdom would be to take advantage of all this, but each from their own point of view, naturally, because there are different readings of both the participation and the result.” His hope, also in light of some political tensions within the Italian government, is that “all of this can help towards greater harmony and collaboration, always for the common good of the country.” The Cardinal added that the tension is certainly “concerning, as it does not serve the good of society and the country.” Instead, he urged people to seize this moment, “which is particularly complicated and painful on the international level, to also try to create synergy.” What values inspire our young people? Still focusing on Italy, the Cardinal responded to a question about the recent news of a teacher being stabbed by a 13-year-old student in Bergamo. “In the face of these phenomena, there is also a need for regulatory intervention, which, as much as possible, can prevent and stop these incidents,” he stressed. At the same time, according to the Cardinal, the question is one of values, questioning, “What are the values that our young people are inspired by? What are the values we are transmitting to our youth that prevent these degenerations from occurring?” The Cardinal added that it “is fundamentally a matter of education,” hoping that schools will become “places where we learn to live together, respect one another, and be constructive.” The liturgy should not be a battleground Lastly, the journalists asked the Secretary of State about the Traditional Latin Mass, following the publication of the Pope’s message, signed by the Secretary of State, to the French Bishops during their plenary assembly. In the letter, Pope Leo XIV expressed concern that “a painful wound continues to open in the Church regarding the celebration of the Mass” and encouraged everyone “to generously include those sincerely attached to the Vetus Ordo.” Following this, Cardinal Parolin reiterated that “the liturgy must not become a cause of conflict and division among us.” He stressed the importance of “finding a formula that can meet the legitimate needs. I believe there can be, without making the liturgy a battleground.”