The Vatican’s new secretary of state plans to use the Church’s vast global diplomatic network to build peace.
Archbishop Pietro Parolin (pictured) said Pope Francis has already injected a new impetus into the Vaticanís Secretariat of State structure and given a new push for Church-led diplomacy.
The archbishop, who is currently the papal nuncio to Venezuela, will start his new role October 15.
In a recent interview with the Venezuelan Catholic newspaper, Diario Catolico, Archbishop Parolin said: “The Pope’s initiatives have given the secretary of state an impetus and have also created a new diplomatic momentum.”
When asked if he would be spearheading a new diplomatic offensive for peace, he noted that it was a complicated question but said, “Yes, I hope that we can recoup” that drive.
“We have this great advantage in respect to other churches, to other religions: We can count on an international institutional presence through diplomacy,” he said.
Archbishop Parolin said the Vatican has to take advantage of its vast network of papal nuncios around the world and all the contacts it has with international organisations.
“They are precious instruments that can be used to help the world,” he said.
