Cardinal Matteo Zuppi of Italy is set to extend his peace mission in the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia. Appointed by Pope Francis, Zuppi will visit Moscow this week June 28 and 29th, following his earlier trip to Kyiv.
During his visit to Ukraine, Zuppi met with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. His main objective? To encourage humanitarian actions that might serve as a catalyst for peace in the embattled region.
His visit to Moscow comes in the wake of an unsuccessful coup against Russian military. Interestingly, Zuppi might be one of the first foreign figures to engage with Russian President Vladimir Putin post this incident.
A key discussion in Moscow might be with Patriarch Kirill, the Russian Orthodox Church’s leader. Kirill, a vocal supporter of Putin’s approach in Ukraine, would be a significant party to involve in these peace talks.
An alarming aspect of the war is the displacement of almost 19,500 Ukrainian children. They have been reportedly moved to Russia and Russian-occupied Crimea. The Vatican has shown readiness to assist in their repatriation.
Zuppi’s mission is to advocate for Ukraine’s call for unconditional peace. This includes the reinstatement of Ukraine’s sovereign borders and the removal of Russian troops.
His diplomatic role is more about facilitating conversation than mediating. He’s there to listen and help navigate towards a peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict.
Zuppi’s trip is a testament to the Vatican’s subtle diplomacy, always striving to create peaceful solutions in global disputes.
Despite the challenging environment, Zuppi remains committed to advancing meaningful dialogue in hopes of achieving a fair resolution in Ukraine.
Pray for peace!
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