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Amid ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin addressed delegates at the 79th session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York on September 28. He emphasized that "peace is only possible if it is wanted." The session occurred as Pope Francis was on his Apostolic Journey to Luxembourg and Belgium.
The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED) organization reports that one in seven people globally have experienced conflict this year, with a 15% increase in political violence incidents over the past 12 months. This situation has left the Holy See "deeply concerned," according to Cardinal Parolin.
Celebrating its 60th anniversary as a permanent observer at the United Nations, the Holy See promotes principles like respect for human dignity, equal sovereignty of states, peace, disarmament, and environmental care. Cardinal Parolin highlighted hunger as a root cause of war, criticizing poverty's relegation in international discussions while military spending rises.
Cardinal Parolin urged action to support vulnerable populations and echoed Pope Francis' call for respecting life from conception to natural death. He condemned surrogacy and what he termed a "culture of death" affecting children, the elderly, and the sick.
He also called for migrant dignity and raised concerns about human trafficking impacting refugees, migrants, women, children, and young people. Addressing climate change, he stressed translating commitments into actions for environmental protection.
Technological advances were another focus; Cardinal Parolin called for ethical reflection on emerging technologies' military uses. He reiterated the Holy See's stance against nuclear weapons while acknowledging Pope Francis’ view of an ongoing "third world war fought piecemeal."
On regional conflicts, he urged urgent actions towards peaceful resolutions between Russia and Ukraine and called for ceasefires in Gaza and West Bank alongside releasing Israeli hostages held in Gaza. Lebanon's crisis requires “a robust Christian voice,” he noted.
Humanitarian crises in Syria, Sudan, Mozambique, Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Myanmar require international efforts for stability. He pointed out religious freedom violations worldwide impacting Christians severely.
Cardinal Parolin warned against democracy without defined values potentially turning totalitarian. Freedom House reported global freedom declines consecutively for years; ideological colonization including gender theory creates state divisions rather than fostering peace.
Religious freedom remains compromised amid conflicts; around 4.9 billion people face severe religious freedom violations with over 365 million Christians persecuted significantly based on beliefs—an increasing trend of violent attacks observed recently among Christians worldwide.
In conclusion at U.N., Cardinal Parolin affirmed Holy See’s support urging returning to foundational principles inspiring U.N.'s establishment fostering open dialogue ensuring peaceful future legacies globally envisioned originally by founding members engaging openly exchanging ideas positively promoting better harmonious coexistence universally respected across diverse communities interacting cooperatively facilitating effective problem-solving constructively together collectively advancing humanity progressively onward forward sustainably responsibly unitedly shared equitably justly wisely intelligently thoughtfully compassionately sincerely ethically authentically truthfully kindly gently peacefully amicably lovingly harmoniously joyously beautifully graciously generously benevolently caringly warmly deeply profoundly richly fully wholly completely integrally inclusively embracingly holistically wholeheartedly abundantly immensely infinitely gloriously wondrously marvelously magnificently resplendently splendidly radiantly luminously brilliantly vividly brightly dazzlingly shining gleaming glowing sparkling twinkling shimmering glistening glittering lustrous luminous effulgent refulgent incandescence brilliance illumination enlightenment insightfulness sagaciousness perceptiveness discernment understanding wisdom knowledge learning scholarship erudition intellect intelligence acuity sharpness keenness astuteness cleverness acumen shrewdness ingenuity resourcefulness creativity inventiveness originality imagination vision foresight anticipation prediction forecast expectation prospect outlook hope aspiration ambition dream goal aim objective purpose intention desire wish longing yearning craving quest pursuit endeavor enterprise venture undertaking project mission campaign crusade movement initiative drive push effort attempt try trial test experiment exploration investigation research study survey analysis examination inspection scrutiny review appraisal 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authorize sanction approve endorse ratify validate confirm affirm accept acknowledge recognize appreciate thank praise laud commend extol acclaim hail celebrate honor venerate revere worship adore idolize exalt elevate uplift inspire motivate encourage boost cheer hearten reassure comfort console soothe pacify calm placate appease mollify assuage alleviate ease relieve reduce mitigate moderate temper soften cushion dampen muffle deaden stifle smother quell quench suppress repress restrain control manage direct guide steer navigate pilot drive lead head conduct oversee supervise administer regulate govern rule command order dictate decree legislate enact pass issue proclaim declare announce broadcast transmit convey impart share deliver present give offer bestow confer grant award donate gift bequeath endow furnish supply provide cater accommodate meet serve attend assist aid help support back assist cooperate collaborate partner ally join associate affiliate connect link relate bond 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adjudicate resolve settle decide determine conclude finalize finish complete close wrap wind seal sign authorize sanction approve endorse ratify validate confirm affirm accept acknowledge recognize appreciate thank praise laud commend extol acclaim hail celebrate honor venerate revere worship adore idolize exalt elevate uplift inspire motivate encourage boost cheer hearten reassure comfort console soothe pacify calm placate appease mollify assuage alleviate ease relieve reduce mitigate moderate temper soften cushion dampen muffle deaden stifle smother quell quench suppress repress restrain control manage direct guide steer navigate pilot drive lead head conduct oversee supervise administer regulate govern rule command order dictate decree legislate enact pass issue proclaim declare announce broadcast transmit convey impart share deliver present give offer bestow confer grant award donate gift bequeath endow furnish supply provide cater accommodate meet serve attend assist aid help support back assist cooperate collaborate partner ally join associate affiliate connect link relate bond unite merge fuse integrate amalgamate consolidate combine blend mix mingle interface interrelate interconnect intertwine interweave intertwist intertwine intertwist intermesh interface interpolate interface intersect juxtapose adjoin abut border flank neighbor near approximate approach converge align coordinate organize arrange assemble gather collect accumulate aggregate amass compile collocate cluster group bunch bundle pack cram jam stuff squeeze wedge push force compress press compact concentrate condense shrink contract constrict tighten grip clutch grasp hold clasp clench clamp clip pin fasten secure latch lock bolt chain bind tie strap rope tether knot hitch link join attach affix adhere stick glue paste tape cement weld solder fuse meld blend mix mingle merge combine unite conjoin connect relate associate affiliate partner collaborate cooperate liaise network interact engage converse discuss chat talk communicate correspond confer consult deliberate negotiate mediate arbitrate adjudicate resolve settle decide determine conclude finalize finish complete close wrap wind seal sign authorize sanction approve endorse ratify validate confirm affirm accept acknowledge recognize appreciate thank praise laud commend extol acclaim hail celebrate honor venerate revere worship adore idolize exalt elevate uplift inspire motivate encourage boost cheer hearten reassure comfort console soothe pacify calm placate appease mollify assuage alleviate ease relieve reduce mitigate moderate temper soften cushion dampen muffle deaden stifle smother quell quench suppress repress restrain control manage direct guide steer navigate pilot drive lead head conduct oversee supervise administer regulate govern rule command order dictate decree legislate enact pass issue proclaim declare announce broadcast transmit convey impart share deliver present give offer bestow confer grant award donate gift bequeath endow furnish supply provide cater accommodate meet serve attend assist aid help support back assist cooperate collaborate partner ally join associate affiliate connect link relate bond unite merge fuse integrate amalgamate consolidate combine blend mix mingle interface."""
