Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin lamented the political and economic interests of power and “hegemony” that prevent a solution to the tragedy in Gaza.
He made his comments on the sidelines of a celebration at the tomb of St. Monica, which is at the Church of Sant’Agostino, in Rome on August 27, 2025, the saint’s feast day.
The Vatican’s “number two” expressed his hope that Israel would abandon its plan to evacuate the city of Gaza.
As part of the celebrations for St. Monica on Wednesday and her son St. Augustine Thursday, Cardinal Parolin celebrated Mass in the Roman basilica that houses the relics of the 4th-century saint. The building near Piazza Navona is run by the brothers of the Order of St. Augustine, the congregation in which Pope Leo XIV took his religious vows.
Money and power getting in the way
When questioned by journalists present, Cardinal Parolin referred to the situation in Gaza, emphasizing the existence of solutions “that can truly put an end to this situation.”
At the same time, he lamented the obstacles represented by the “interests at stake.”
The Secretary of State referred to the interests of “individuals and groups” – without naming them – citing “interests of a political nature, of an economic nature, interests of power, interests of hegemony, which are intertwined and prevent [the finding of] a humane solution to this tragedy.”
The cardinal expressed the Holy See’s desire to reach a resolution to the conflict, saying he was “always in contact with the US administration,” particularly through the US Embassy to the Holy See.
Remaining in Gaza, a “courageous choice”
Echoing Pope Leo XIV’s appeal at the Wednesday general audience earlier in the day, the cardinal protested against the forced displacement of the population of Gaza, saying he had learned that the faithful of the local Orthodox parish had been ordered to evacuate the city hours earlier.
He expressed his hope that Israel would abandon its plan to displace the population of northern Gaza.
Cardinal Parolin also praised the “courageous choice” of Christians who have decided to remain despite the specter of “total control of the territory on the ground.”
“It is up to each individual to determine what they should do,” said the Secretary of State, recalling that the faithful had been given the freedom to decide.
The statement from the Holy Land leaders noted that many of those taking refuge in the Orthodox and the Catholic churches are elderly or disabled, with malnourishment exacerbating the situation. Thus, even to try to transport to a different location would already be a “death sentence,” they said.
