Pope Francis' Envoy for Peace in Russia - Cardinal Zuppi Discusses, Deported Ukraine Children and Prevention of Armed Conflict, with Patriarch Kirill
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From the 28th to the 30th of this month, His Eminence Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, Envoy of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, paid a visit to Moscow aimed at identifying humanitarian initiatives, which can open paths for the achievement of peace.
On the second day in Moscow, Cardinal Zuppi met with the Commissioner for Children's Rights to address the 19,000 Ukrainian minors deported to Russia. Later, the Cardinal met with Patriarch Kirill, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, who mentioned gratitude for the Vatican's aid. Their conversation focused on the joint work of the Churches "to serve the cause of peace and justice." They also discussed the need for "all the forces of the world'' to unite ''to prevent a major armed conflict."
This reiterated the words Pope Francis shared with the Patriarch in a videocall just one month after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
In the three days, His Eminence met H.E. Yuri Ushakov, Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation for Foreign Policy Affairs, and Ms. Maria Lvova-Belova, Commissioner to the President of the Russian Federation for the Rights of the Child. During the talks, the humanitarian aspect of the initiative was strongly emphasized, as well as the need to be able to achieve the much desired peace.
In a brief visit to the Church of St. Nicholas in Tolmachi, at the Tretyakov Gallery, His Eminence paused in prayer before the icon of Our Lady of Vladimir, to which he entrusted his mission.
He also had a fruitful meeting with His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus', to whom he conveyed the Holy Father's greetings and with whom he also discussed humanitarian initiatives that could facilitate a peaceful solution.
His Eminence also met the Bishops of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Russia, with whom, together with a large group of priests and in the presence of Ambassadors and Representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he presided over a solemn concelebration in the cathedral of the Archdiocese of the Mother of God, in Moscow. This was the occasion to convey to the Catholic community the closeness, remembrance and prayer of the Holy Father.
The results of the visit will be brought to the attention of the Holy Father, in view of further steps to be taken, both on a humanitarian level and in the search for paths to peace.
In the three days, His Eminence met H.E. Yuri Ushakov, Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation for Foreign Policy Affairs, and Ms. Maria Lvova-Belova, Commissioner to the President of the Russian Federation for the Rights of the Child. During the talks, the humanitarian aspect of the initiative was strongly emphasized, as well as the need to be able to achieve the much desired peace.
In a brief visit to the Church of St. Nicholas in Tolmachi, at the Tretyakov Gallery, His Eminence paused in prayer before the icon of Our Lady of Vladimir, to which he entrusted his mission.
He also had a fruitful meeting with His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus', to whom he conveyed the Holy Father's greetings and with whom he also discussed humanitarian initiatives that could facilitate a peaceful solution.
His Eminence also met the Bishops of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Russia, with whom, together with a large group of priests and in the presence of Ambassadors and Representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he presided over a solemn concelebration in the cathedral of the Archdiocese of the Mother of God, in Moscow. This was the occasion to convey to the Catholic community the closeness, remembrance and prayer of the Holy Father.
The results of the visit will be brought to the attention of the Holy Father, in view of further steps to be taken, both on a humanitarian level and in the search for paths to peace.
Source: https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2023/06/30/0486/01086.html and RomeReports
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