Last Friday, the Vatican Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, admitted that it will not be possible for the church to solve cases of pedophilia, according to local media.

The presence of the senior official takes place during the pilgrimage that will take place this weekend at the sanctuary of Fatima.

Regarding the investigation released in February into the extent of pedophilia within the Portuguese Catholic Church, which counts more than 4,800 victims of crimes over the past 70 years, he assured that the Vatican has been closely following the case and recalled that the institution works on prevention to prevent abuses in the future.

“It is a path that must be characterized by truth and transparency. The Holy See has received this information, knows what happened, but the decisions are made by the local church,” the cardinal said.

Parolin also responded to criticism over the cost of the stage and altar for the last mass to be built for World Youth Day, scheduled for August.

“This news is very common. They don’t make us happy, they cause sadness and suffering,” he claimed, adding that “many of the works” will remain for the local community.

Another aspect that was avoided was a future meeting between Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky and Pope Francis specifically for this Saturday.

“Until this morning there was nothing. There may have been some progress in the interim, but nothing confirmed,” Parolin replied.