Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin has renewed calls for stronger global commitment to peace, warning against what he described as the “folly of the arms race” and the growing weakness of diplomacy. In an interview with Dialoghi, a publication of Azione Cattolica Italiana, he stressed that “it is an illusion to think that peace is guaranteed by weapons and balances imposed by the strongest rather than by international agreements.”
The Cardinal strongly condemned the global trend towards rearmament, stating that “we firmly believe that arsenals must be emptied, starting with nuclear ones.” He pointed to the failure to renew agreements aimed at reducing atomic weapons, warning that this has given “free rein to the construction of deadly instruments capable of annihilating life on earth.” He also called for “more voices of peace” and stronger advocacy against increasing militarisation.
Reflecting on current conflicts, including the war in Ukraine and the situation in Gaza, Parolin described the devastation caused as deeply concerning. He referred to Ukraine as “a wound” in the heart of Europe and noted that the destruction of cities, infrastructure, and human lives is not always fully recognised. He also highlighted what he described as “double standards” in international reactions, warning that some crises receive more attention and condemnation than others.
Parolin further warned that diplomacy appears increasingly “fragile” and sometimes “mute, unable to activate alternative tools,” as it is replaced by the “logic of the strongest.” He stressed that this shift risks undermining respect for international law and shared global rules, which he said are essential for maintaining peace.
The Cardinal reaffirmed the importance of the United Nations, noting that international institutions remain crucial in countering power-driven approaches. He cautioned against moving “from the force of law to the law of force,” and called for renewed cooperation among nations.
Concluding, Parolin urged greater global responsibility and humanity, emphasising that peace requires patience, dialogue, and collective effort. He warned that hatred and violence begin when people “forget the face of the other.”
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