Cardinal Parolin: “I Assume That Further Prisoners Exchanges Are to Follow”
While speaking to journalists at an event held at the Italian Embassy to the Holy See, the Secretary of State also answered questions about Vatican mediation in the exchange of prisoners between Ukraine and Russia.
It is reported by vaticannews.va.
“Sometimes it appears that diplomatic work yields few results, but we must not fall into fatigue or the temptation to give up,” said Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See, speaking on the evening of July 2, 2024, at the Italian Embassy in the Apostolic Capital, marking the fifth edition of the Ambassadors to the Holy See Literary Award.
Regarding the exchange of prisoners successfully mediated by the Holy See, the Secretary of State suggests that other releases may be on the way “because this is a mechanism that works and that is different from the one for children.” In this case, he said, various realities are involved: “It is about the exchange of lists that are delivered to the two sides, so I assume that this activity will continue to a certain extent, which I believe is very positive and can create conditions that will also be favorable to truce and possible negotiations.”
As we reported, on June 28, 2024, two priests of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, hieromonks of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, Fr. Ivan Levytsky and Fr. Bohdan Geleta, were released from Russian custody. His Beatitude Sviatoslav expressed his sincere gratitude to the Apostolic Capital for the rescue of the UGCC priests. He conveyed special words of gratitude to Pope Francis, Cardinal Pietro Parolin and the entire Vatican diplomatic corps.
The UGCC Department for Information
