Pope’s envoy plans to visit Russia in late September

Papal envoy Cardinal Matteo Zuppi is planning to visit Russia in late September, according to the state news agency RIA.

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

Zuppi, head of the Italian bishops’ conference, last visited Moscow in October 2024 for talks on family reunification, prisoner-of-war exchanges and prospects for dialogue on ending the war in Ukraine.