On Victory, Vatican wishes Trump 'lots of Wisdom'

Vatican City: Extending its congratulations to US Republican Party candidate Donald Trump on his victory in the recent presidential elections, the Vatican expressed doubt that he could end conflicts as quickly as he promised during his campaign. Vatican's secretary of state, Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, said that they wish Trump a lot of wisdom, Agence France-Presse reported.

"We wish him a lot of wisdom because that is the main virtue of leaders according to the Bible," AFP quoted Parolin, who was speaking on the sidelines of a conference in Rome.

When he was asked about Trump's promise to end the war in Ukraine "within 24 hours", he said that we can hope so, but he doesn't believe that even Trump has a "magic wand".

He said that to end wars, a lot of humility and willingness is needed. It is really necessary to seek the general interests of humanity instead of concentrating on particular interests, he said.

He added that he hoped Trump would be "the president of the whole country" to overcome divisions in American society. He hopes that the former president will be a factor in reducing tension in the current conflicts "that are bloodying the world."

AFP reports that Parolin's statement is the first diplomatic reaction from the Holy See to Trump's win for the White House against Democrat Kamala Harris. Pope Francis is yet to react.

Pope Francis had criticized both candidates in September, accusing them of being "against life" in different ways. He was pointing at Trump's anti-migrant policies and Harris' support of abortion.

In 2017, during his first term as president of the US, Trump was received by the Pope at the Vatican for a half-hour meeting, AFP writes.