Pope’s envoy receives Kremlin’s consent to visit Moscow

The Pope’s envoy to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, received the Kremlin’s consent to visit Moscow. About this in an interview with the newspaper Corriere della Sera told Archbishop Paolo Pezzi, head of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Russia.

“Recently, I read very negative statements from both Zelensky (the President of Ukraine – approx. redu) and the Kremlin regarding a possible mediation. And in such a stagnant situation, the fact that the Pope’s envoy went to Ukraine and received the Kremlin’s consent to come to Moscow, even if I don’t know when, is a sign that in itself cannot be underestimated,” Pezzi said.

He clarified that the purpose of the mission in Kyiv is to listen and evaluate proposals for resolving the conflict. “It seems to me very important that Moscow’s proposal is also heard,” Pezzi added.

The visit of a representative of the Vatican to Moscow may favor the resumption of dialogue between Patriarch Kirill and Pope Francis. Pezzi notes that he did not get the impression that “there was a chill between the two churches.”

June 5 edition of Vatican News reportedthat Zuppi arrived in Kyiv. The purpose of his visit is to listen to “the Ukrainian authorities about possible ways to achieve a just peace and to support humane gestures that help ease tensions.” On June 6, Zelensky announced that Meets with Zuppy. They discussed humanitarian cooperation within the framework of the implementation of the Ukrainian “peace formula”. Zelensky said that the ceasefire will not lead to the restoration of peace.

In the beginning of May reportedthat Pope Francis held talks with Zelensky, the meeting took place in the Vatican. They discussed “the humanitarian and political situation in Ukraine.” According to media reports, this was Zelensky’s private visit.