The Irish Marriage Equality referendum was held on 22 May 2015, and the measure passed easily in spite of opposition from the Holy See. With votes from all 43 constituencies counted, the 62.07% "yes" vote assured the passage of the referendum. The Vatican reaction to the news of Ireland's enthusiastic embrace of marriage equality was quick and negative. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's secretary of state, called the measure's passage a "defeat for humanity".