NEW YORK, September 25, 2026 (WAFA) – Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin called for an end to the suffering of the Palestinian people and for a just political solution based on international law and human dignity.

Parolin made the remarks in his address to the United Nations General Assembly during the High-Level Ministerial Meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution.

He stressed that the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip cannot be separated from the broader Palestinian reality.

He called for the full protection of civilians, respect for international humanitarian law, and the safe, sustained and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance, stressing that humanitarian aid alone cannot bring an end to a conflict whose root causes remain unaddressed.

Parolin reaffirmed the Holy See’s support for the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to self-determination and to live in freedom, security and dignity in an independent and sovereign state.

He also warned against measures that undermine the territorial unity of the Palestinian territories and the viability of a Palestinian state, including the expansion and establishment of new Israeli colonial settlements.

Parolin also strongly condemned acts of violence targeting Christian communities in the West Bank, stressing the importance of preserving the historic Christian presence in the Holy Land.

He further reiterated the Holy See’s call to protect the special status of Jerusalem and safeguard its holy sites.

Parolin stressed that lasting peace cannot be imposed by force, but can only be achieved through dialogue, respect for international law, and a political process that addresses the legitimate rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people.

T.R.