The Holy See has “already recognized” Palestine for some time. Following French President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement that France will recognize the State of Palestine in September, during the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the issue returned to the forefront in the words of the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. Asked by journalists on the sidelines of a Jubilee event for digital influencers, the Cardinal reiterated that this is “the solution — the recognition of two states, living side by side, independently but also in cooperation and security.”
In response to a question about claims that recognizing the State of Palestine is “premature,” Cardinal Parolin replied: “Why premature? In our view, the solution lies in direct dialogue between the two sides aimed at establishing two autonomous state entities.”
He acknowledged, however, that the situation is becoming increasingly difficult — particularly due to the developments in the West Bank — referring to Israeli settlements there: “This certainly does not help, from a practical standpoint, the realization of the Palestinian State.” Hence his hope that the meetings in New York — taking place today and tomorrow during the High-Level International Conference on the Peaceful Resolution of the Palestinian Question and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution — will “bear some fruit.”
It is worth remembering that the Holy See signed a basic agreement with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) 25 years ago. Then, ten years ago, it signed a Comprehensive Agreement with the State of Palestine, which entered into force in January 2016.
Read more: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-07/cardinal-parolin-call-palestinian-state-decries-hunger-gaza.html
By Giada Aquilino | vaticannews
