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Pope Francis' special envoy Cardinal Matteo Zuppi has begun a visit to Moscow, Russia, as part of the mission to seek a path to peace in Ukraine. He is also trying to facilitate the reunification of Ukrainian children with their families and the exchange of prisoners-of-war.Cardinal Zuppi's second visit to Moscow, Russia's capital, began on on October 14.
The Pope named Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi, Archbishop of Bologna and President of the Italian Bishops' Conference, as his special envoy in June 2023.
Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Office, said Cardinal Zuppi's visit falls within his mission as the Pope's envoy.
The Italian-born Cardinal will meet with Russian authorities and "assess further efforts to facilitate the reunification of Ukrainian children with their families and the exchange of prisoners, with a view to achieving the much-hoped-for peace," said Mr. Bruni.
Other Visits for Peace
Cardinal Zuppi began his peace mission with a visit to Ukraine on June 5-6, 2023, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelensky and several other high-level officials
The Cardinal also visited Russia on June 28-30, 2023, meeting with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, as well as government officials, including Yuri Ushakov, Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation for Foreign Policy Affairs, and Maria Lvova-Belova, Commissioner to the President of the Russian Federation for Children’s Rights.
On July 17-19, 2023, he went to Washington, D.C., and met with US President Joe Biden, delivering him a letter from Pope Francis.
Cardinal Zuppi also visited Beijing on September 13-15, 2023, meeting with Li Hui, China’s Special Representative for Eurasian Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Source: Vatican News
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