"

Climate emergencies are a sign of our failure ": the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal

Pietro Parolin

, insists a lot on the theme of protecting the environment and combating climate change

, in his speech delivered today to the General Assembly of the United Nations, in course in New York.

The prelate also underlined the role that the Vatican plays in protecting the environment, in line with what Pope Francis said today in Assisi.

The speech closes a week of intense diplomatic activity within the General Assembly: two days ago the Vatican secretary of state had the opportunity to meet with the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov.

Avoid war rather than prepare it

"It is time to

put an end to the hypocrisy of armaments

, to talk about peace and lay down arms" added the holder of Vatican diplomacy, turning to the hot topics for the attention of the international assembly, continuing: "Instead of squandering large sums of money for military equipment, it would be much wiser to invest in avoiding war than in preparing it.

In this regard,

education should be a priority

because - said the prelate, quoting the words of Pope Francis - it is the main vehicle of human development, which makes individuals free and responsible.

Covid has already interrupted the education of millions of students, targeted investments are urgently needed to get us back on track towards a brighter future ".

To avoid a nuclear disaster, make a serious commitment to a peaceful outcome

"

Any threat to resort to nuclear weapons is repugnant and must be unequivocally condemned" continued Pietro Parolin, underlining that "the Holy See has followed the situation at the

Zaporizhzhia

power plant with deep concern

and recalling the Geneva Protocol, which prohibits attacks against nuclear power plants if there is the possibility of the release of agents harmful to the civilian population.

To avoid a nuclear disaster, it is essential to make a serious commitment to find a peaceful outcome to the conflict ”.

Mixed migration, a global phenomenon

"

The biggest refugee crisis in Europe since World War II

only increases the millions in Africa, the Middle East and Asia who have been forced to flee their country of origin due to conflicts and wars, in search of a better future. for themselves and their families ”Pietro Parolin warned again, observing that“ many others are forced to leave their homes due to hunger, poverty and the effects of climate change.

Mixed migration is a global phenomenon

, which must be addressed accordingly ”.

The holder of Vatican diplomacy finally took up the themes of the speech he gave to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the

Declaration on the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities

.

On that occasion, Parolin said that “affirming one's identity and living in peace with others are the aspirations shared by all ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities throughout the world;

therefore their defense cannot fail to respect principles such as the protection of existence, non-exclusion, non-discrimination and non-assimilation ".