Speaking at a recent Nairobi conference of religious leaders from Africa, Europe and Asia, Cardinal John Onaiyekan insisted interfaith dialogue is key to ending the deadly conflicts — even if it means sitting down with ruthless killers.

Pope Francis and Vatican diplomats have followed with growing concern the grave tensions and even threats of nuclear attacks that have been exchanged between the United States and North Korea.

The Vatican said in a statement Saturday that Monsignor Carlo Capella, who was the No. 4 official in its Washington embassy, would face a trial starting June 22.

Pope Francis said the challenge is “to find ways of ensuring the immense supply of energy required to meet the needs of all, while developing means of using natural resources that avoid creating environmental imbalances.”

This decision offers Catholics—and indeed all Americans—a welcome opportunity to step away from the trenches of the culture war.

“We do have a sovereign border, but we also have a call to recognize that there are people who are fleeing to this country to save their own lives.”