“The Pope goes forward on his path, in the sense of preaching the Gospel, of preaching peace – as Saint Paul would say – opportune et importune ['convenient or inconvenient'].”

The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, said this on the sidelines of the celebrations for the 70th anniversary of Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, the hospital in San Giovanni Rotondo, founded by St. Padre Pio, the famous Capuchin friar and mystic from San Giovanni Rotondo, in 1956. Now the hospital is one of the largest in southern Italy and is also known for its care, research, and treatment centers.

The Cardinal was responding to journalists’ questions about “another attack” by U.S. President Donald Trump against Pope Leo XIV, just three days before the Vatican audience with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

 “Even in the face of these new attacks, I do not know whether the Pope will have the occasion to respond,” said the Cardinal. He suggested that the Pope's previous comments were made as he encountered the press on the papal flight during the Apostolic Journey to Africa, and reiterated that his message "remains the same.”

“The Pope has already responded; I would not add anything,” said the Secretary of State, again emphasizing that Pope Leo XIV’s response was “a very, very Christian response, saying that he is doing what his role requires, which is to preach peace. Whether this is pleasing or not, that is another matter," he stressed.

"We understand that not everyone is on the same page. But that is the Pope’s response.”