Cardinal Pietro Parolin said he would tell Trump and Israel to \u201cstop as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cardinal Pietro Parolin urged an immediate halt to escalating conflict involving Iran, warning that the risk of a broader war in the Middle East is imminent and calling on world leaders to pursue dialogue and diplomacy instead of military action.<\/p>\n
Speaking March 19 to journalists at the Italian Chamber of Deputies, Parolin said that if he were to meet Donald Trump, he would urge him \u201cto stop as soon as possible, because the danger of escalation is imminent.\u201d He added that the same appeal \u201cshould also be addressed to the Israelis,\u201d encouraging them to seek \u201cpeaceful solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n
The cardinal also called for Lebanon to be \u201cleft in peace\u201d and stressed that the urgent priority is \u201cto truly try to resolve problems \u2014 whether real or perceived \u2014 through the peaceful means of diplomacy and dialogue.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, he acknowledged that amid the \u201cdramatic events inflaming\u201d one of the world\u2019s most complex regions, there are currently no signs of de-escalation.<\/p>\n
Parolin made the remarks during a book presentation on Pope Leo XIV titled \u201cLeo XIV: Who Do You Say That I Am? I Am a Son of St. Augustine.\u201d<\/p>\n
He also reflected on the communication style of Pope Leo XIV, describing it as \u201cdisarmed and disarming,\u201d measured in tone and content in contrast to a world where \u201cthe loudest voice often prevails.\u201d<\/p>\n
Addressing comparisons with Pope Francis, Parolin said each pope exercises the Petrine ministry in a unique way while maintaining continuity in the Church guided by the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n
He emphasized that Leo XIV\u2019s repeated calls for peace \u2014 delivered \u201cwith serene and firm insistence every Sunday\u201d \u2014 invite the world to \u201clay down arms\u201d and abandon the \u201clogic of profit, national interests, and power groups.\u201d<\/p>\n
Parolin highlighted \u201clistening\u201d as a central element of the current pontificate, describing it as a \u201cgreat lesson\u201d both within and beyond the Church. He said the pope\u2019s vision of a \u201cdisarmed and disarming peace\u201d continues the teaching of modern popes from Benedict XV to Paul VI.<\/p>\n
Warning of growing global instability fueled by rising military spending and power-based international relations that disregard international law, Parolin said the pope instead proposes \u201clistening, dialogue, and love\u201d as the path forward.<\/p>\n
He also pointed to the challenge of unity within the Church amid tensions, noting that Leo XIV promotes \u201cpatient dialogue\u201d to preserve communion.<\/p>\n
Finally, Parolin underscored the pope\u2019s \u201csynodal style\u201d of governance, marked by shared decision-making and an understanding of authority as service. \u201cIt is not a weak form of primacy,\u201d he said, but rather an expression of participation and co-responsibility.<\/p>\n
This story\u00a0was first published\u00a0by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News, and has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.<\/p>\n