With regard to the statements made by the prime minister of Spain, Mr Pedro Sánchez, in his interview published on 8 July last in the Corriere della Sera newspaper, it should be noted that the Holy See, on the question of Francisco Franco's exhumation, has on several occasions reaffirmed its respect for the legality and the decisions of the competent governmental and judicial authorities, has called for dialogue between the family and the government, and has never pronounced on the advisability of exhumation or the place of burial, as these matters do not fall within its competence.