The Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin at the Theological Faculty of Triveneto meets with journalists and talks about immigration, the Pope’s trip to Cuba, relations with China, and the threat of terrorist attacks at the Vatican.
The Pope has spoken about the Armenian tragedy “in terms of reconciliation”, not “to stir animosity”. The trip to Cuba will serve to encourage the newly resumed dialogue between Havana and Washington, while the Holy See remains open and willing to start a dialogue with China, but there is little sign of a thaw. The terrorist threat at the Vatican: there is a threat, but the Pope “is calm” and lives “with great serenity”. And in response to the persecution of Christians, the answer is not violence, because “the force of the Gospel has always been not to respond with violence”. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State for the Vatican, met and spoke with journalists after the lectio magistralis with which he celebrated the ten-year anniversary of the Theological Faculty of Triveneto in Padova.
The Armenian genocide and Turkey
“We did what we had to do, the Pope spoke clearly and at the same time discreetly on this matter. As he explained on the return flight from Turkey, he has always talked about it in terms of reconciliation. If we remember these events it is not to stir animosity but to invite all parties to negotiate, to agree on a common version of the events, and to seek grounds for mutual understanding. Willingness to study the history is positive.”
The Pope’s trip to Cuba
“The Pope’s decision to travel to Cuba ahead of his visit to the United States has to do with what has happened in recent months regarding the thawing of relations between the two nations after decades of conflict and hostility. In recent weeks, at the Panama meeting, I too have noticed a new climate evident in the way the two presidents met and spoke with each other. Clearly this process is only in the early stages, and remains fragile since after so many years of uncommunicativeness and incomprehension it is not easy to walk into a climate of trust and mutual understanding, which is the very foundation for diplomatic progress. The Pope’s visit is with the intention of encouraging this process, and to urge them not to be afraid of what it could involve. Every encounter involves a certain change, we must proceed with trust. I interpret it like this, as well as a recognition of the role the Holy See has played in the process; a role of support and facilitation that has had a significant impact.”
Relations between the Holy See and China
“We are sorry to say that nothing much has changed as far as China is concerned. I wish had, I would like to have some development to announce, but I don’t. The Pope has newly expressed his appreciation and admiration of the Chinese people, and said he is willing to meet with the Chinese president to open a dialogue where he will feel at home. We hope that these gestures can create the right climate for a substantial dialogue that may lead to the resolution of the current difficulties between China and the Holy See.”
Immigrants and the role of the international community
“I believe that Europe’s involvement in the matter must continue and as I said, it must also concern every nation in the world, new problems require everyone’s collaboration. For Europe, we’re on the right path, we need to be committed and let ourselves be involved, we need to stay the course. In first place, a humanitarian response is required. And Italy is doing a lot in this regard. Then the fact remains that the problem must be resolved at its roots, by placing these countries in conditions that do not force their people to leave, eliminating the causes of extreme poverty and violence, war, conflict, we must do more in this respect, give those people the chance to progress in their own countries, and we will find the way to prevent these tragedies. And finally there is the matter of the fight against the traffickers, this we must keep in mind and deal with decisively.”
The arrest of the kamikaze and the fear of attacks on the Vatican
“The biggest fear is that innocent people will be involved if something should happen. I didn’t know about today’s arrest until now. However, it doesn’t seem to me that there is panic at the Vatican. Of course we must be careful. Even without talking of plots or plans, there may be people thinking of such an attack. Thus the security is tight. But it does not seem to me that the Vatican is overly anxious. We are, like everyone, exposed to this reality, this threat we all fear. The Pope is very calm, as you see he meets people and moves around with great freedom. This shows that he faces these situations with great lucidity and serenity.”
The Church and persecuted Christians: no to a violent response
“I don’t believe that the Church will stand by idly. I ask myself what type of response is expected of the Church. The Pope at every opportunity denounces what is happening. He does so with strong and fervent language, and then there is the Church’s activity in these places, such as that of our apostolic envoys. Let us not forget that they are there too, the Church is present. More can always be done but it must be done in the right way: how can we respond? With force and violence? I understand that it is easy to say so from here, but the force of the Gospel has always been not to respond with violence but to find another way. The international community is working to ensure that Christians who have been forced away from their homes can return in safety, it is working on various levels but according to the means and methods of the Church.”
The Pope’s critics who say he is underprepared from a theological point of view
“I believe the Pope has a more than adequate theological preparation to lead the Church, and am not at all concerned about this. It is true that he is not a theologian, but he has all that is necessary to guide the Church, therefore I don’t consider these observations to be accurate.”
