Cardinal urges recommitment to create a world where peace, justice, human dignity prevail

NEW YORK (OSV News) — Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, returned to themes relating to peace that he had presented during 79th session of the U.N. General Assembly at an evening Mass celebrated Sept. 30 at Holy Family Church in Manhattan, near U.N. headquarters.

Quoting and commenting primarily on the evening’s Gospel reading (Luke 9:46-50), Cardinal Parolin said, “The Gospel gives us a glimpse of the humanity of the disciples,” as they discuss which one of them was greatest.

Jesus quietly rebukes them by placing a child in their midst, saying, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.”

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, greets Mohan Pieris, Sri Lanka’s ambassador to the United Nations, at a reception following Mass at Holy Family Church in New York City Sept. 30, 2024. (OSV News photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)

“The child does not symbolize innocence as much as littleness” and the need for salvation, Cardinal Parolin said.

“For the past 60 years, since it has taken its place at the U.N. as an observer state, the Holy See has continued to champion human dignity, to champion human rights, especially the most fundamental right of all, the right to life. To be an advocate for social justice and economic development, and to speak in the defense of the forgotten, migrants, refugees and the displaced,” Cardinal Parolin said.

“In the little one, in the poor person we serve, we also receive God’s tender embrace, which rewards us for all our efforts and saves us. Amen,” Cardinal Parolin concluded.

In remarks at a reception held at Holy Family Church, Cardinal Parolin was reintroduced to guests by Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations.

“This occasion provides us with the opportunity to reflect on our shared journey, celebrate our accomplishments, and review our commitment to the noble ideas that unite us all,” Cardinal Parolin said.

“Let us therefore recommit ourselves to the vision of a world where peace, justice and human dignity are not mere aspirations but meet reality’s call. Let us work tirelessly to build bridges of understanding, to end divisions, and to create a culture of encounter and solidarity so that we might truly live in peace with one another,” he said.

Cardinal Parolin spoke three times to the 79th U.N. General Assembly, including a general address to the annual meeting Sept. 23 and again on Sept. 28, when he discussed specifically the issue of nuclear weapons nonproliferation.

Along with addressing the U.N. General Assembly and plenary sessions, Cardinal Parolin celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Permanent Mission to the United Nations of the Holy See, established in April 1964.

The Holy See is one of only two states granted permanent observer status by the United Nations. The other is Palestine.