Pope Francis has entrusted an Italian cardinal with a mission in the hope that he can “relieve tensions” in the Ukraine war and lead to a path of peace, the Vatican said Saturday.
In a brief written statement, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said Francis had entrusted the mission to Cardinal Matteo Zuppi. According to the document, the schedule and mechanics of the mission “are currently under study.”
Just a week earlier, Francis met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Vatican. When asked about it, the Ukrainian president said that any mediation with Russian President Vladimir Putin was impossible.
In late April, flying back to Rome after a pilgrimage in Hungary, Francis told reporters that the Vatican was involved in some kind of peace mission, but no details were given.
Pope Francis asks to “silence the guns” in Ukraine in his Christmas message
“I can confirm that Pope Francis has entrusted Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, Archbishop of Bologna and President of the Italian Episcopal Conference, to carry out a mission, in agreement with the (Vatican) Secretariat of State, which would help to ease tensions in the conflict. in Ukraine, with the hope, never abandoned by the Holy Father, that this can open paths of peace,” Bruni said.
“The timing of that mission, and its forms, are currently under study,” the spokesperson said.
Earlier in the week, an Italian website that focuses on Vatican issues said Francis had contacted personal envoys to speak with both Zelensky and Putin in hopes of negotiating a ceasefire.
Francis has repeatedly denounced the war, warned against accumulating weapons in the conflict and prayed for the suffering of the Ukrainian people. In his comments on the war, he has generally avoided putting the blame on Putin.
The pontiff has said he would go to Ukraine’s capital kyiv if the pilgrimage would help bring peace, but said that could only happen if he could also visit Moscow.
Associated Press/Vatican News/OnCuba.
