Papal Envoy Cardinal Matteo Zuppi to Visit Russia in Late September

Italian Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, the Vatican’s special envoy for the peace mission in Ukraine, plans to visit Russia in late September, he confirmed himself on Monday.

The news was reported by the Russian state news agency RIA, which cited the cardinal’s statement. Zuppi is president of the Italian Bishops’ Conference and has held, since 2023, the mandate given by Pope Francis as the Vatican’s envoy for peace in Ukraine.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, was quoted by state media as saying he would discuss with Zuppi humanitarian issues related to the conflict in Ukraine.

The cardinal’s last visit to Moscow took place in October 2024. At the time he discussed the reunification of families separated by the war, the exchange of prisoners of war and the prospects of dialogue to end the war in Ukraine.

Zuppi’s mission focuses mainly on the humanitarian issues arising from the conflict, including the fate of civilians, children and prisoners, and represents the Vatican diplomacy’s ongoing efforts to find a solution to the Ukrainian crisis.

Source: Reuters