Cardinal Parolin on papal visit to Georgia and Azerbaijan

(Vatican Radio)  The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, says Pope Francis’ 3-day visit to Georgia and Azerbaijan should be viewed as a mission for peace and unity in this troubled area of the world. The cardinal was interviewed (in Italian) by Barbara Castello of the Vatican Television Centre.

Cardinal Parolin noted that this weekend’s papal trip is the final leg of a Caucasus pilgrimage that began in June with the Pope's visit to Armenia. He spoke of how Pope Francis will be visiting these two nations as “a friend” to meet its people and to promote a culture of encounter that he considers so important and whilst there will speak out in favour of peace, reconciliation and unity.  Asked about some of the challenges facing Georgia, his first leg, Cardinal Parolin mentioned the issue of refugees, both those who have fled to Georgia from conflicts in the Middle East and the internally displaced who have been uprooted from their homes as a result of Georgia’s conflicts with its breakaway regions.