Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Holy See Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin and Archbishop Gallagher

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken discussed a range of global priorities with Holy See Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States, today in Vatican City. They discussed the recently announced ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon and the opportunity to build on it to deescalate tensions and end conflicts in the region. They reaffirmed a shared commitment to addressing the horrific impacts on Ukrainian civilians as Ukraine defends itself against Russia's aggression. They condemned ongoing political repression in Nicaragua and Venezuela. The Secretary commended the Pope's commitment to advancing the basic rights and dignity of LGBTQI persons. The meeting underscored the close partnership between the United States and the Holy See in addressing pressing issues and promoting human dignity.