Holy See diplomacy

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Pope Francis meets with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill in Havana, Cuba. on Feb. 12, 2016.

Pope Francis as diplomat: the principles that have guided his 10-year-old pontificate

Mar 12, 2023

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The Holy Father’s approach to diplomacy is laid out in “The Joy of the Gospel.” Read more

Pope Francis addresses international diplomats to the Holy See on Jan. 9, 2023, in the Vatican's Blessing Hall.

To counter ‘third world war,’ Pope Francis proposes ‘truth, justice, solidarity, and freedom’

Jan 9, 2023

By Jonathan Liedl

Pope Francis Monday gave his annual address to Vatican diplomats, describing the speech as “a call for peace in a... Read more

Pope Francis meets with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill in Havana, Cuba. on Feb. 12, 2016.

Will Pope Francis and Russian Patriarch Kirill finally meet in this tiny European country?

Oct 14, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The prime minister of Montenegro proposed that an eventual meeting between Pope Francis and the Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill could... Read more

Pope Francis meeting his diplomatic representatives in the Vatican, Sept. 9, 2022.

Pope Francis shares his concern about nuclear war risks in meeting with Vatican diplomats

Sep 8, 2022

By AC Wimmer

The pope spoke to almost 100 apostolic nuncios and permanent observers of the Holy See who are meeting in Rome... Read more

Pope Francis meets with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the Vatican on May 29, 2017.

Pope Francis in Canada: A papal pilgrimage for healing and reconciliation

Jul 23, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The 37th Apostolic Journey of Pope Francis, which will take him to Canada from July 24-30, is a "penitential pilgrimage”... Read more

Charles de Foucauld

Pope Francis to future Vatican diplomats: See St Charles de Foucauld as model

Jun 9, 2022

By CNA Staff

The pope was speaking to members of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy. Read more

St. John Paul II (1920-2005).

George Weigel on what the Vatican can learn from JPII’s diplomacy with Russia

May 19, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The papal biographer said the Vatican ought to realize that ‘appeasement of communist regimes never works.’ Read more

Cardinal Pietro Parolin in Salerno, Italy, on Oct. 13, 2019.

Cardinal Parolin discusses the future of Vatican diplomacy

Apr 19, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

In the final part of an exclusive interview, the Vatican Secretary of State discusses threats to religious freedom. Read more

Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, the apostolic nuncio to Ukraine.

Why the pope’s representative in Kyiv is fighting ‘fake news’

Apr 13, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The nunciature denied claims that Vladimir Putin has accounts at the ‘Vatican bank.’ Read more

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin talks to EWTN Vatican correspondent Colm Flynn on March 19, 2022.

Cardinal Parolin: Ukraine has the right to defend itself, but arms shipments could cause ‘terrible’ escalation

Apr 7, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, discussed the Holy See's diplomatic efforts to stop the fighting in Ukraine... Read more

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin talks to EWTN Vatican correspondent Colm Flynn on March 19, 2022.

Cardinal Parolin urges negotiation to find a ‘win-win solution’ to war in Ukraine

Mar 22, 2022

By Courtney Mares

‘The message of the Holy See, of the Holy Father, is to stop the war,’ the Vatican Secretary of State... Read more

Pope Francis and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In new phone call, Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy tells Pope Francis he would welcome Vatican mediation

Mar 22, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Ukrainian president said he told the pope about ‘the blocking of rescue corridors by Russian troops.’ Read more

Daniel Ortega celebrates his re-inauguration as president of Nicaragua, Jan. 10, 2012.

Nicaragua government expels Vatican diplomat

Mar 12, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Vatican called the decision an “unjustified unilateral measure.” Read more

Pope Francis delivers his Angelus address on March 6, 2022.

How Pope Francis’ tone on the Ukraine war has shifted

Mar 8, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The pope’s words at the Angelus marked a subtle but important change. Read more

St. George Maronite cathedral beside the Mohammad Al-Amin mosque in Beirut, the Lebanese capital.

Vatican foreign minister visits Lebanon, still suffering from financial and political crises

Feb 5, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

The five-day visit marked 75 years of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Lebanon. Read more

Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra inaugurated an apostolic nunciature in Abu Dhabi, UAE on Feb. 4, 2022.

Vatican opens its first embassy in Abu Dhabi

Feb 4, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra inaugurated the new diplomatic post. Read more

Pope Francis meets with diplomats accredited to the Holy See at the Vatican’s Hall of Blessings, Jan. 10, 2022.

Pope Francis laments ‘cancel culture’ in annual address to diplomats

Jan 10, 2022

By CNA Staff

The pope was giving his annual “state of the world” address. Read more

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Holy See Secretary of State.

In speech on North Korea, Cardinal Parolin calls for cooperation and friendship

Sep 2, 2021

By Courtney Mares

He highlighted St. John XXIII as a model for today’s Vatican diplomacy. Read more

Early morning in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Vatican urges countries to accept refugees from Afghanistan

Aug 25, 2021

By Courtney Mares

A Vatican diplomat challenged nations to “move from declaration to action.” Read more

The Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest.

Could Hungary find an unexpected ally in the Holy See?

Jul 10, 2021

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The country is under fire for a new law touching on homosexuality. Read more