The clarification of Parolin’s words followed the publication of a CNA interview with the Vatican’s top diplomat.
In the interview, he said: “I believe that there is the right to self-defense. That is the principle that Ukraine is also resisting Russia. The international community wants to avoid an escalation, and so so far, no one has personally intervened, but I see that many are sending weapons. This is terrible to think about and could cause an escalation that cannot be controlled. However, the principle of legitimate defense remains.”
The cardinal’s words were interpreted as a negative judgment on sending weapons to help Ukraine resist Russian forces. This generated a vigorous debate in some European countries which consider the position of the Holy See too favorable to Russia.
That is an incorrect interpretation of Parolin’s words. Above all, it is a political interpretation. The Holy See does not take positions, nor does it seek to be involved in other states’ decisions. On the contrary, its goal is to be a third party, a reliable international player. This is also because the Vatican is willing to act as a mediator in the conflict, as the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has requested several times.
In its fact-checking post, the Kyiv nunciature invited readers to study the original text of Parolin’s words, delivered in Italian and first published by CNA’s sister agency, ACI Stampa.
The nunciature said: “In the interview, three distinct things are mentioned, also separated by punctuation.”