Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin Calls Minneapolis Federal-Agent Shootings “Unacceptable” Amid Rising Tensions

Parolin’s remarks follow two fatal shootings during federal immigration operations in Minneapolis

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, said violence linked to federal immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis is “unacceptable,” as scrutiny intensifies over the use of force during recent operations in Minnesota.

Parolin’s comments were delivered in Rome on January 28, 2026, as he responded to questions about immigration enforcement activity in Minnesota that has resulted in the deaths of two U.S. citizens. He said the Holy See’s position is to avoid violence and that “difficulties, problems, and contradictions must be resolved in other ways.”

Two deaths in January have become flashpoints for protests and political response

The latest fatal incident involved Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, who died after being shot by federal agents in Minneapolis on January 24, 2026, amid a confrontation during an enforcement operation. Federal authorities have asserted that Pretti was armed, while other accounts and video material circulating publicly have fueled disputes about what occurred in the moments before shots were fired.

Earlier in the month, Renée Good, also 37, was killed in Minneapolis on January 7, 2026, during a separate federal immigration enforcement operation. Together, the two deaths have driven protests, calls for investigations, and demands for accountability from a range of elected officials and civic leaders.

• January 7, 2026: Renée Good fatally shot during an immigration enforcement action in Minneapolis.
• January 24, 2026: Alex Pretti fatally shot during a later federal operation in Minneapolis.
• January 28, 2026: Parolin calls the situation “unacceptable,” urging nonviolent resolution of conflicts.

Faith leaders frame the issue around nonviolence and social stability

Parolin’s intervention aligns with broader concerns expressed by Catholic leadership in the United States about the escalation of force and the broader climate surrounding immigration enforcement. His remarks emphasized a principle-based stance rather than an operational critique, focusing on rejecting violence as a means of resolving conflicts.

“We cannot accept episodes of this kind… Difficulties, problems, and contradictions must be resolved in other ways.”

Separate incident underscores wider concerns over political violence

In a separate development, U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar was attacked at a Minneapolis town hall on January 27, 2026, when a man sprayed her with an unidentified substance. The suspect was detained and arrested. The incident drew condemnation from political figures across party lines and added to concerns about safety for public officials amid heightened tensions.

With multiple high-profile incidents occurring within weeks, local and national officials face overlapping demands: ensuring public safety, clarifying accountability in federal operations, and reducing the risk of further violence in and around civic events.