Vatican Secretary of State calls for international intervention in Libya

February 18, 2015

The Vatican’s Secretary of State has called for urgent action to restore peace in Libya, “but any armed intervention must be undertaken under the framework of international law.”

Cardinal Pietro Parolin said that a diplomatic initiative should be undertaken immediately to address a deteriorating situation in Libya. If military action is needed he said, it should be taken “under the umbrella of the United Nations.”

Cardinal Parolin spoke to reporters after the brutal execution of Coptic Christians in Libya by the Islamic State. While he called the incident “terrifying,” the cardinal also called attention to the powerful witness of the martyrs:

We are usually today led to underline the aspect of cruelty-– and it is an unspeakable cruelty, and it is unbelievable that there can be incidents like this during our time. But we look to the other part, the part of the witness these martyrs gave. It has always been like this in the history of the Church.

 

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Further information:

• Cardinal Parolin: Action needed in Libya, but through the United Nations (Vatican Radio)