Without two states true peace remains distant

In an interview published on Monday, 29 January, Pope Francis shared his thoughts on a wide range of topics, with journalist Domenico Agasso of the Italian newspaper, La Stampa. Speaking about the world’s ongoing wars, the Holy Father urged everyone to pray for peace, and stressed the need for a global ceasefire because “we are on the brink of an abyss”. He called on all parties to “immediately stop the bombs and missiles and end hostile attitudes. Everywhere”.

With regards to the war in the Holy Land, the Holy Father admitted he was concerned about a military escalation across the Middle East, but that he still had hope “because confidential meetings are taking place to try to reach an agreement. A truce would already be a good result”, he noted. The Oslo Accord had been “so clear, with its two-state solution”, he said, adding that “real peace will continue to remain distant, until that agreement is implemented”.

The Pope also recalled the war in Ukraine and the task he had entrusted to Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference: “The Holy See is trying to mediate an exchange of prisoners and the return of Ukrainian civilians”. In particular, he continued, “we are working with Russia’s Commissioner for Children’s rights, Mrs. Maria Llova-Belova, for the repatriation of Ukrainian children forcibly taken to Russia. Some have already returned to their families”.

Asked about the recent Fiducia Supplicans Declaration that allows for blessings of persons in irregular or same-sex couples, Pope Francis recalled that “Christ calls everyone from within”. Indeed, the “Gospel is to sanctify everyone”. And “of course, there must be goodwill and it is necessary to give precise instructions on the Christian life (I emphasize that it is not the union that is blessed, but the persons)”. However, “we are all sinners: why should we make a list of sinners who can enter the Church and a list of sinners who cannot be in the Church? This is not the Gospel”. He spoke about the criticism surrounding the document, noting that “those who vehemently protest belong to small ideological groups” and that he was not afraid that a schism might occur. “There have always been small groups that manifest reflections of a schismatic nature, in the Church. One should let them carry on and move on... and look ahead”.

The Church in Africa, he said is “a special case,” since “for them, homosexuality is something ‘ugly’ from a cultural point of view; they do not tolerate it”. However, he added, “I trust that gradually everyone will be reassured about the spirit of the declaration”, which “aims to include, not divide”.

The Pope then turned to the topic of artificial intelligence, which he described as “a good step forward that will be able to solve many problems”. However, he warned, it can potentially cause great damage if managed without ethics. The goal, he said, is that artificial intelligence be “in harmony with the dignity of the person”; otherwise “it will be suicide.

Asked about his health, Pope Francis said he was feeling well, despite some aches and pains, and that he is currently not considering retirement. He spoke about his upcoming journeys to Belgium, East Timor, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, scheduled for August, and mentioned a possible trip to Argentina. The Holy Father said he will meet Argentina’s new President Javier Milei, immediately after the canonization of Argentinian, “Mama Antula” on 11 February, adding that he had not been offended by the negative comments made against him by the President during the electoral campaign, and that he was ready to dialogue with him.

The Holy Father then answered questions on his election in March 2013, recalling the reaction to the words he addressed to the general congregations that preceded the Conclave. “After my speech, there was an applause, which was unheard of in that context. But I had absolutely not sensed what many later told me. That discourse was my ‘nightmare’”, he joked. “When I was leaving the Synod Hall, an English-speaking Cardinal saw me and said, “What you said was beautiful. Beautiful. Beautiful. We need a Pope like you”! But I had not noticed that people were organizing a campaign to elect me. Until lunch on 13 March, here at Casa Santa Marta, a few hours before the decisive vote. As we were eating, I was asked two or three ‘suspicious’ questions. So, I began to think: ‘Something strange is happening here’. But I was still able to have a siesta. And when they elected me, I felt a surprising sensation of peace within me”.

Lastly, Pope Francis confided that he felt like “a parish priest. Sure, one from a very large, global parish, but I like to maintain the spirit of a parish priest. And to be among people, where I always find God”.