< strong>The Secretary of State and first diplomat of the Vatican, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, congratulated the newly elected American President Donald Trump, wishing him “wisdom“ and expressed hope that he will end the conflicts, especially in Ukraine, although “there is no magic wand” about this, reported France Press, quoted by BTA.
„We wish him much wisdom because this is the main virtue of leaders according to the Bible,” Cardinal Parolin said to journalists during a conference in Rome.
Asked about Trump's promise to end the war in Ukraine “within 24 hours”, Archbishop Parolin replied: “Let's hope, let's hope. I don't think he has a magic wand: it takes a lot of humility and impartiality to end war; indeed, the general interests of mankind should be pursued, not focusing on specific interests.“
„We hope that it can indeed be an element of enlightenment and pacification in the current conflicts that are tearing the world apart,“ he added.
Archbishop Parolin also expressed hope that in order to “overcome polarization” of American society, Trump will be “president of the entire country.“
This is the first diplomatic reaction from the Holy See to the decisive victory of the Republican candidate in the race for the White House against the Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, while Pope Francis himself has not yet reacted.
In September, the pope, who is Argentinian, accused the two candidates of being “against life” because of their positions on abortion in one and migrants in the other.
”I'm not American, I can't vote there, but let it be clear that sending migrants back, refusing to give them the opportunity to work, refusing to accept them, is a sin, it's serious,” he said.
In May 2017, during his first term, Donald Trump was received by the Pope at the Vatican for a half-hour audience.
The two leaders have opposing views on many issues, AFP points out.