Cardinal Parolin links Israeli-Palestinian ‘prayer summit’ to Syrian prayer initiative

May 27, 2014

In an interview with the Milanese newspaper Il Giornale, the Vatican’s Secretary of State discussed Pope Francis’s decision to invite the Israeli and Palestinian presidents to the Vatican to pray for peace.

“We have experienced the power of prayer in the initiative of the Pope for Syria,” said Cardinal Pietro Parolin. “Prayer is capable of transforming hearts and then transforming history.”

The Pope designated September 7 a day of prayer for peace in Syria, a week after President Barack Obama had sought congressional approval for military intervention there. On September 9, President Obama decided to delay pursuing military action.

Cardinal Parolin also called for political and diplomatic intervention on behalf of persecuted Christians in the Middle East.

 

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Further information:

• Il cardinale Parolin: "La preghiera ha una grande forza politica" (Il Giornale)
• Vatican 'prayer summit' for Israel-Palestinian peace could occur soon (CWN, 5/26)