UNITED NATIONS — The Holy See is urging the international community to give special attention to the conflicts in Syria and Yemen to “put an end to the suffering of so many people.”
In a wide-ranging speech that he, like many speakers, dedicated to the theme of multilateralism, the Vatican’s secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, also highlighted the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians as “an area of perennial concern.”
The U.N. General Assembly is scheduled to hear from Syria, which has been wracked by eight years of war, later Saturday.
Parolin also highlighted the dire political and economic situations in Venezuela and Nicaragua, and spoke up for the protection of the Amazon, which has been ravaged by a surge of fires.
Parolin also urged the world to do more to protect women and children who have been raped and victimized in wars. He did not mention the clergy sex-abuse scandal that has shaken the Catholic Church.
Crux is dedicated to smart, wired and independent reporting on the Vatican and worldwide Catholic Church. That kind of reporting doesn’t come cheap, and we need your support. You can help Crux by giving a small amount monthly, or with a onetime gift. Please remember, Crux is a for-profit organization, so contributions are not tax-deductible.
