Parolin emphasises global role of Church

In the week that Pope Francis emphasised the universality of the Church by naming cardinals from the far-flung corners of the earth, Cardinal Pietro Parolin on Tuesday emphasised that the Holy See’s diplomacy will be stepped up to address the world’s many conflicts, writes James Roberts.

The Vatican’s Secretary of State was speaking to American journalists at the end of the dedication of a new wing of the Pontifical North American College in Rome. He confirmed that Pope Francis was likely to visit Washington D.C. and the UN in New York during his visit to the United States in September when he will participate in the 22-27 September World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia.

“I think the Pope will go to the United Nations, everybody is speaking about that … but no official announcement has been delivered,” Cardinal Parolin told Catholic News Service.

Pope Francis’ visit comes after the restoration of diplomatic relations between the US and Cuba, achieved thanks to Pope Francis’ intervention, as acknowledged by both US President Barack Obama and Cuban president Raúl Castro.

On relations with China, Cardinal Parolin said last month that “we are in a positive phase” and “I would go as far as to say that prospects look promising”.

The cardinal was at pains to point out on Tuesday that Pope Francis’ criteria in the choice of new cardinals announced on Sunday was “not a sign of any less appreciation of any Church”.

“I would like to stress this,” he said. “I think that we have to change a little bit our minds about this thing, looking at the Holy Father and the criteria he is using as an opening of heart and mind in every place … I think [he] wants to give a broader sense of the universality of the Church”.