Papal Envoy to Return to Moscow for Ukraine Talks

Papal envoy Cardinal Matteo Zuppi plans to visit Russia in late September for talks related to the war in Ukraine.

According to Russia’s state-run RIA news agency, Zuppi is also expected to meet Yuri Ushakov, foreign policy adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Their discussions will primarily address the humanitarian consequences of the war.

Zuppi, who also heads the Italian Bishops’ Conference, will return to Moscow after nearly two years. During his last visit in October 2024, he discussed reuniting families separated by the war, prisoner exchanges and opportunities for further dialogue aimed at ending the fighting.

The cardinal's mission has focused primarily on humanitarian issues. Ushakov said earlier this month that the talks would continue to address such matters, although he acknowledged that political questions would inevitably also be involved.

(Reuters, mja)