From Vaticannews · Vatican News · · 1m 50s
Cardinal Parolin calls for trust, dialogue and justice at UN
The Vatican's top diplomat urges the world to abandon force, embrace negotiation and protect human dignity in an age of conflict and technological change.
In brief
The Vatican's top diplomat urges the world to abandon force, embrace negotiation and protect human dignity in an age of conflict and technological change. Trust between nations requires dialogue, justice and respect for international law, not military escalation or technological shortcuts that remove human…
Vatican calls for trust through dialogue
Cardinal Parolin told the UN General Assembly that international institutions need mutual trust among members to work effectively, built on respect and dialogue rather than force.
“Every international institution, beyond its legal framework, requires mutual trust among its members to be effective.”
Peace requires justice, not just absence of war
Cardinal Parolin said peace must be built through patient efforts to establish just relationships, rooted in truth and addressing inequality, exclusion and violations of fundamental rights.
“Peace is the fruit of justice.”
Shift from power to negotiation
The Vatican Secretary of State called for moving away from a culture of power toward genuine negotiation, where dialogue and diplomacy become the normal way to resolve conflicts.
Humans must control lethal force decisions
Cardinal Parolin warned that responsibility for using lethal force cannot be transferred to machines, and called for international frameworks to limit autonomous weapons while ensuring accountability.
“The decision to use lethal force cannot be delegated to opaque or automated processes, but must remain under effective, self-aware and responsible human control.”
End wars in Ukraine and Gaza now
After more than four years of war in Ukraine, Cardinal Parolin called for an immediate ceasefire. He also urged action on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.
“Peace cannot be postponed; weapons must fall silent, and bombardments must cease.”
Dignity belongs to all, everywhere
The Vatican emphasized that human dignity is universal and does not depend on location or wealth, including for migrants and refugees who are forced to move.
“Dignity is not dependent on geographical location or socioeconomic status.”
Multilateralism in crisis but still essential
Cardinal Parolin acknowledged that multilateralism is struggling but stressed it remains necessary, requiring renewed commitment to justice, rule of law and peace over violence and domination.
“The crisis of multilateralism does not diminish its importance.”
What matters most
Trust between nations requires dialogue, justice and respect for international law, not military escalation or technological shortcuts that remove human responsibility.
