Cardinal Parolin: True peace cannot arise from coercion or fear

According to Vatican News, this was stated by the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Pietro Parolin, in an interview with the Italian newspaper La Stampa, responding to a request to comment on the words of the Pope.

"True peace is cultivated from within; it arises from deep, respectful, and serious dialogue between the parties involved. One cannot speak of true peace if one country denies the existence of another. Peace is only 'just' when it recognizes and protects the dignity of all individuals, without humiliation or conditions that leave lasting wounds. Furthermore, peace between states can only be 'lasting' when it is built upon the solid foundations of international law, respect for justice and freedom, rather than on a fragile balance maintained by weapons," stated the head of Vatican diplomacy.

In response to a question about the next steps following the unsuccessful negotiations in Istanbul, Cardinal Parolin emphasized that this should not signal an end to efforts to end the war in Ukraine. The Holy See urges people not to fall into the trap of “false realism,” which suggests that war is inevitable.

“No war is inevitable, and no peace is impossible. Weapons can and must be silenced to pave the way for hope for peace,” he asserted, noting that while the meeting in Istanbul may seem like a failure, he hopes it can serve as a first step toward achieving peace.