Pope’s peace envoy for Ukraine to travel to Moscow
Rome, June 27 (EFE).- Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, Pope Francis’ peace envoy for war in Ukraine, will travel to Moscow on Wednesday, the Vatican said, after his trip to Kyiv, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“The visit, scheduled for June 28-29, aims to strengthen ‘gestures of humanity that can contribute to promoting a solution to the current tragic situation and find paths toward a just peace,” a Vatican statement said.
The statement said an Official from the Secretariat of State would accompany Cardinal Zuppi, the archbishop of Bologna and president of the Italian Bishops’ Conference.
“Cardinal Zuppi will likely uphold Pope Francis desire for a resolution to the war on the European continent,” said the Vatican.
The Pope has been a vocal advocate for peace, consistently calling on world leaders and individuals alike to work towards resolving conflict through peaceful means.
He has made numerous appeals for prayers for the people suffering because of the Ukraine war.
An official from the Secretariat of State will accompany Zuppi to Moscow.
The visit to Moscow comes on the heels of his previous visit to Kyiv earlier this month, during which he met with Zelenskyy and other high-level government officials.
The cardinal has said that he had not yet referred Francis to his mission in Ukraine since it coincided with the abdominal surgery that forced him into a hospital for nine days in Rome.
“The meeting with President Zelenskyy provided an opportunity to discuss steps to alleviate suffering, rebuild trust, and advance reconciliation,” said the statement.
Cardinal Zuppi reiterated the Vatican’s readiness to assist through diplomatic channels and humanitarian initiatives.
As the papal peace envoy, Cardinal Zuppi’s visit to Moscow seeks to underscore the Holy See’s dedication to actively engage in peacebuilding efforts and collaborate with international partners on behalf of peace.
Russia has said that it “positively assesses the ongoing attempts to facilitate” the end to the war.
Cardinal Zuppi has vast experience in conflict resolution.
With the Catholic movement of the Community of Sant’Egidio, he mediated peace in Mozambique, Burundi, and Guatemala.
In 2012, he was appointed auxiliary bishop of Rome by Benedict XVI, while Francis named him archbishop of Bologna in 2015. He became the cardinal four years later. EFE
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