Vatican City (Vatican), 16 May (LaPresse) – ‘The failure of the Istanbul talks? It is tragic, because we hoped that a slow but positive process towards a peaceful solution to the conflict could begin. We are back to square one. Now we will see what to do, but it is a very difficult situation. Very dramatic.’ These were the words of Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin on the sidelines of a meeting at the Augustinianum. Regarding the mediation offered by Pope Leo XIV, Parolin said that it refers to ‘making the Vatican available for a meeting between the two sides.’ The goal is for the two sides to ‘talk to each other; it is a willingness to provide a venue.’