Archbishop Gallagher says all conflicts end in negotiation after Moscow visit
The Holy See's foreign minister, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, spoke about his recent trip to Russia and his meeting with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. He said all conflicts end in negotiation and called on the two sides to open up to dialogue
Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Holy See's Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, has spoken about his recent visit to Russia, where he met Sergey Lavrov, the country's foreign minister. The visit took place against the background of the war between Russia and Ukraine, and its main purpose was to address the need for peace and to encourage dialogue between the two sides.
During the meeting, Gallagher said that "we know very well that, historically, all conflicts and wars end with a negotiation, with an agreement, and then relations between the former belligerents begin to be restored." He said diplomacy had a fundamental role in reaching possible solutions to conflicts, and he stressed the Church's responsibility to promote peace.
"We went to Moscow to talk about peace, to encourage souls tormented by war, and to say: have courage, embrace the path of peace, have the hope to believe in a better day," Gallagher said.
The Holy See's role in negotiations
Gallagher said the Holy See does not take part in the details of negotiations and does not put forward technical solutions, because it considers that a direct responsibility of the warring parties. He said the Holy See does remind them of that responsibility and calls on them to show good will so that serious talks can begin.
Interreligious dialogue
Gallagher spoke about the devotion of Catholics in Moscow and described his meeting with Metropolitan Antonij of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Department of External Church Relations of the Russian Orthodox Church, as "very encouraging."
