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On 9 May, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius met with the Secretary of State of the Vatican Pietro Parolin, discussed the current international policy challenges and underlined the importance of solidarity when dealing with them.

“Your participation in the events of the Holy Year of Mercy in Lithuania symbolically underlines the importance of compassion and solidarity when dealing with international crises. The greater our mutual understanding and cooperation not only between the countries, but also between the Church and civil society, the more effectively we will be able to overcome the flashpoints for instability and aggression, the challenges of migration and terrorism, and will help victims of war and people forced to flee their countries,” said Lithuania’s Foreign Minister.

“We hope that Pope Francis’ call for overcoming indifference shall reach as many hearts as possible. After all, the biggest long-term threat to world peace is willingness to tolerate or being used to the ongoing military actions, aggression, and breaches of international law,” said Linkevičius.

The conversation between Lithuania’s Foreign Minister and the Cardinal focused on Lithuania’s successfully developing bilateral relationship with the Vatican. Linkevičius thanked the Holly See for its long-term policy of non-recognition of the illegal annexation of Lithuania by the Soviet Union. During the Cold War, the broadcasts by the Vatican Radio contributed to the dissemination of democratic ideas in Eastern Europe as well as in Lithuania. The Lithuanian-language broadcasts were among the few sources of information about violations of believers’ rights in Lithuania.

Today, the Cardinal Parolin and Linkevičius will lay a wreath at the memorial to freedom fighters at Antakalnis cemetery.

The Vatican Secretary of State’s visit to Lithuania coincides with the religious events of the Holy Year of Mercy in our country. During the visit, Parolin holds meetings with Lithuania’s senior officials. He also gave a lecture for the students of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science of Vilnius University.

The Vatican Secretary of State is the second most important person at the Holy See. The Secretariat of State, under the Cardinal Secretary of State, coordinates all activities of Vatican’s institutions, maintains relations with other states and international organisations.