Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin speaks to journalists on the sidelines of an event at the Pontifical Urbaniana University and comments on the US midterm elections and the China-Holy See Agreement.
By Salvatore Cernuzio
There will certainly be “changes” following the Democrats’ victory in the US midterm elections, said Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, on Thursday, November 5.
“We hope that reason and common sense will prevail” and that we may “collaborate,” doing everything possible “to turn the painful page of Ukraine and the many other conflicts taking place around the world.”
The Cardinal made these remarks concerning the midterm elections in the United States, which resulted in Democrats securing a majority in both chambers of Congress.
He spoke to journalists at the Pontifical Urbaniana University, on the sidelines of a conference organized by the Vatican’s Fides News Agency to mark the centenary of the consecration of the first six Chinese Bishops.
Turning the painful page of Ukraine and other conflicts
The Holy See’s hope, Cardinal Parolin said, is “that there will be an ability to cooperate.”
“We will try to find ways of working together for the good of the country. This is important, and this is what we hope for.”
The Democratic majority in the House of Representatives and the Senate will “certainly” bring about “changes,” the Cardinal stressed.
“Now we will see how these changes are managed. This remains somewhat of an open question, an unknown. But we hope that reason and common sense will prevail,” the Secretary of State continued.
“At this point, it is very difficult to predict what kind of changes might take place. We hope that these changes can lead [to peace]because for a long time we have been calling for everything possible to be done to turn the painful page of Ukraine and the many other conflicts taking place around the world.”
However, he added, “It is difficult to say now what will happen. We will see; we will wait.”
Regarding Pope Leo XIV’s decision to cast his ballot by mail in the elections in his native country, Cardinal Parolin reiterated that, as a US citizen, the Pope “has every right to do so.”
Moving forward with the China-Holy See Agreement
China was another focus of the conversation with journalists, as it was a central theme of the conference Cardinal Parolin was attending. Other participants to the event included the Bishop of Hong Kong, Cardinal Stephen Chow, the Bishop of Beijing, Li Shan, and the Bishop of Haimen, Ignatius Ding Zuyao.
The Cardinal reaffirmed that the Holy See intends to continue following the path established by the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China concerning the appointment of Bishops, which has already been renewed twice.
“That was the approach, so there have been no changes. The appointment of Bishops takes place in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement, and the Pope has given his approval in this regard,” he said.
Cardinal Parolin described the day’s event as “very significant.” It commemorates the centenary of the ordination of the first six Chinese Bishops by Pope Pius XI.
The anniversary, he explained, “underscores the dimension of communion with the universal Church.” This means “being Chinese, with all the specific characteristics that entails,” while at the same time “being in profound communion with the Pope and with the universal Church.”
Perfecting what is imperfect
Expressing his joy at the presence of Chinese Bishops at the Urbaniana University, Cardinal Parolin responded to a question about recent remarks by Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, concerning the “imperfections” of the China-Holy See Agreement.
“Of course, all agreements are imperfect. And so also the one with China,” he said.
“All the more so because it wasn’t such an easy agreement, given the complexity of the situations and conditions in which we found ourselves acting—and in which we continue to act.”
Nevertheless, he emphasized, “the path remains open,” and the anniversary being celebrated that day “is a sign of hope.”
Therefore, he concluded, “We are moving forward, seeking to perfect what is imperfect.”
Source: www.vaticannews.va
