Cardinal Parolin expresses deep concern over ‘endless tragedy’ in Iran

Vatican News

On the sidelines of Mass with the exposition of the relics of St. Pier Giorgio Frassati on Saturday, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin spoke to journalists outside the church of the Domus Mariae in Rome.

He expressed “great concern” in the face of the “endless tragedy” shaking Iran.

“I ask myself,” he said, “how it is possible to rage against one’s own people, that there have been so many deaths—it is an endless tragedy.”

The Cardinal said he hopes a peaceful solution can be reached to the current situation.

Attempt at an agreement with Venezuela

Speaking of Venezuela, Cardinal Parolin reiterated the Holy See’s constant commitment to a peaceful resolution of the crisis.

“We had tried to find a solution that would avoid any bloodshed, perhaps by reaching an agreement also with Maduro and with the other representatives of the regime, but this was not possible,” he said.

The Cardinal expressed the hope that the present situation of “great uncertainty” might evolve toward stability, “the democratization of the country,” and economic recovery, “because the economic situation is truly very precarious.”

Multilateralism to resolve the Greenland issue

Asked about Greenland and the tensions running through international politics, the Secretary of State recalled the value of multilateralism.

“Solutions by force cannot be used,” he said, recalling the spirit of cooperation that characterized the postwar period and which today appears to be progressively weakening.

Resolving disputes and asserting positions solely by force, he said is both “unacceptable” and will bring the world ever closer to “a war within international politics.”

Helping young people

Finally, Cardinal Parolin reflected on the tragic death of a young student stabbed in the Italian city of La Spezia.

He underscored the importance of education as the primary response to violence.

Alongside the necessary security measures—which he said on their own are not enough—Cardinal Parolin invited the education system to “help young people reflect, to value what is positive, without letting themselves be swept along.”