VATICAN CITY — The Vatican’s top official, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, congratulated U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on his victory but expressed some concerns about the promises he made during his campaign. Parolin, who is the Vatican’s secretary of state, said that although they wished Trump wisdom—an important trait for leaders, according to the Bible—he wasn’t sure if the new president could deliver on his ambitious promises, like ending the war in Ukraine “within 24 hours.”
Parolin explained that ending wars requires much more than quick solutions, saying, “Let’s hope, let’s hope,” but adding that even Trump doesn’t have a “magic wand” to solve such complex problems. He emphasized that to end conflicts, leaders need humility, a willingness to work together, and a focus on the good of everyone, not just individual interests.
The Vatican official also expressed hope that Trump would unite the American people, acting as a president for all citizens, and help ease global tensions. His comments came as the first official reaction from the Vatican to Trump’s win over Democrat Kamala Harris in the election.
Pope Francis, who had previously criticized both candidates during the election for their stances on important issues, has not yet commented on the result. However, in 2017, Trump met with the Pope during his first term as president, where they held a private meeting at the Vatican.
