On Wednesday, 12 October 2022, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, delivered a statement at the 11th Emergency Special Session of the General Assembly, which addressed the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

In his remarks, Archbishop Caccia repeated the heartfelt plea of Pope Francis to end the conflict, pointing out that, with every ongoing hour, innocent lives are lost and the wounds among peoples are deepened.

Echoing the Pope's words, Archbishop Caccia called for an immediate ceasefire and the beginning of negotiations that will lead to solutions which are just, stable, and based on respect for human life and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of each country.

The full text of the statement follows:
 

Mr. President,

We have heard many words over these past hours. The Holy See is taking the floor with a succinct and heartfelt plea to end the madness of this conflict that, with every ongoing hour, takes innocent lives and deepens the wounds among peoples, destroying the mutual trust upon which the international order depends.

Just a few days ago, Pope Francis made this heartfelt appeal and I quote: "In the name of God and in the name of the sense of humanity that dwells in every heart, I renew my call for an immediate ceasefire. May weapons be silenced and may conditions be sought for the start of negotiations that will lead to solutions that are not imposed by force, but consensual, just and stable."

His Holiness clearly indicated that solutions must be "based on respect for the sacrosanct value of human life, as well as on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of each country."

Having addressed a direct appeal to the Presidents of the Russian Federation and Ukraine, as well as to all the protagonists of international life and the political leaders of nations, Pope Francis stressed that we, gathered here in this chamber, have a role to play and must "do everything possible to bring an end to the war, without allowing ourselves to be drawn into dangerous escalations, and to promote and support initiatives for dialogue." These words take on greater weight with the added threat of nuclear escalation, and makes even more urgent the transformation of "the hearts of those who hold the outcome of the war in their hands, so that the hurricane of violence may cease, and peaceful coexistence, in justice, may be rebuilt."

The affirmation of the clear principles of international law that are underlined by the resolution before us, and are clearly enshrined in the UN Charter, should be understood as opening a path to a just and peaceful solution, and not as a way to aggravate the conflict, which has already created too many victims.

From this hall may the clarion call of Pope Paul VI sound out again: "No more war!"

Thank you, Mr. President