# Vatican diplomatic advocacy at the United Nations

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/vatican-diplomatic-advocacy-at-the-united-nations
> Updated: 2026-10-09T13:46:24.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 3.

During the 81st United Nations General Assembly, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin addressed several global challenges. He initially called for a transition from a “culture of power to a culture of negotiation,” warning that the international order is losing trust due to the disregard for the principle of ‘pacta sunt servanda’ and an overreliance on military force.

Parolin advocated for diplomacy to resolve conflicts in regions such as Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, and Haiti, while also calling for ethical frameworks regarding artificial intelligence and lethal autonomous weapons systems. In subsequent remarks at a UN meeting on pandemic prevention, Parolin identified universal health care as a “moral imperative,” noting that addressing poverty and inadequate living conditions is necessary to bridge the gap in global health services.

Following his attendance at the General Assembly, Parolin called for the continual reform of the United Nations to address a growing crisis in multilateralism. He emphasized that global instability and ongoing conflicts, specifically in Ukraine and the Middle East, are exacerbated by a loss of mutual trust. Parolin noted that many nations are currently prioritizing their own interests over compromise, a shift that has led to widespread pessimism and hindered effective responses to humanitarian emergencies. He advocated for a return to fundamental human values and a renewed commitment to international law and security to achieve lasting peace.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-09: Cardinal Parolin calls for United Nations reform

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin has called for UN reform and a return to multilateralism to resolve global conflicts and address the loss of mutual trust between nations.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cardinal-parolin-calls-for-united-nations-reform

### 2026-09-30: Vatican diplomat calls universal health care a moral imperative at UN

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin called universal health care a ‘moral imperative’ at a UN meeting, urging global action to address poverty and healthcare gaps to prevent future pandemics.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vatican-diplomat-calls-universal-health-care-a-moral-imperative-at-un

### 2026-09-27: Pietro Parolin urges UN to shift from power to negotiation

Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin urged the UN General Assembly to move from a culture of power to one of negotiation, emphasizing diplomacy, ethical AI, and the importance of international trust.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vatican-secretary-of-state-calls-for-diplomacy-at-un-general-assembly

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Cite as: Vatican diplomatic advocacy at the United Nations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/vatican-diplomatic-advocacy-at-the-united-nations