“We wait to see what choices Donald Trump will make during his mandate. Let’s give him time to begin,” said the Pope’s Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, today as he responded to the press asking about the declared plans of the newly elected President of the United States of America to build a wall that would seal the border with Mexico.
In an aside of today’s presentation of Father Antonio Spadaro’s book “My Word Is in Your Eyes,” at the Jesuits’ General Curia, the Cardinal was reminded of the words expressed by Pope Francis on his return flight from Mexico in February 2016, when he said that building walls instead of building bridges is not Christian.
“We are all in agreement on the principles (of the Holy Father),” said Cardinal Parolin, “however we wait. Now it’s about seeing which will be the choices he will make during his mandate. Let’s give him, at least, some days … let’s give him the time to begin.”
The Secretary of State then confirmed what was already expressed yesterday by the Lateran about Trump’s unexpected victory. “We hope that with this election, on which positive considerations but also fears were expressed, we will be able to help peace. There is need of this today. There is need that the American leadership be committed increasingly to seeking ways of dialogue and negotiation and resolve the many conflicts that are lacerating the world.”
According to the Cardinal, points of dialogue can be found with the Vatican, beginning with that of peace, “which should be one of the fundamental topics.” Then, “internal subjects such as religious freedom, Catholics’ commitment and attention to the most vulnerable bands of society.”
On relations between the Holy See and China, instead, Cardinal Parolin was short: “We are working. We hope the day will arrive, but I can’t foresee the times.”
