Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin said Thursday that Italy's political class should make use of the high level of participation seen in this week's referendum on the government's justice reform to foster harmony.
Around 59% of the electorate took part in the referendum, which the 'No' vote won by a big margin.
"We were all a bit surprised to see the percentage of people who voted in the referendum, and I believe that the wise thing to do would truly be to take all of this to heart—each from their own perspective, of course, because there are clearly different interpretations of both the turnout and the result," Parolin said on the sidelines of a Vatican event on Alcide De Gasperi, Italy's premier from 1945 to 1953.
"We simply hope that all of this can help foster greater harmony and greater collaboration, always with the common good of the country in mind.
"The level of discord (in politics) is concerning, as it does not serve the good of the country.
