Cardinal Zuppi begins three-day mission to Moscow

By Vatican News

Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, the Holy Father’s special envoy for humanitarian issues and president of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, has begun a three-day mission to Russia. The visit, taking place from 28 to 30 September, is his third mission to Moscow, following visits in June 2023 and October 2024.

The mission comes after the cardinal's mission to  Ukraine last July, during which he also visited camps holding Russian prisoners of war in the Lviv region.

Humanitarian issues

The situation of Ukrainian and Russian prisoners of war, together with that of children transferred away from their places of origin and separated from their families, remains at the centre of Cardinal Zuppi’s humanitarian mission.

Speaking to the Russian news agency TASS, Cardinal Zuppi confirmed that meetings with Russian officials are scheduled for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

“All of this is part of the humanitarian mission entrusted to me initially by Pope Francis and subsequently confirmed by Pope Leo XIV,” the cardinal said. He explained that his task is to support the efforts of the parties in addressing issues concerning children, prisoner exchanges and the problems faced by civilians as a result of the conflict.

“We are assessing all the requests coming from both the Ukrainian and Russian sides, within the framework of the dialogue already initiated,” Cardinal Zuppi added. “We wish to develop this dialogue further, aware of the suffering caused by the war, and we seek to contribute to bringing it to an end.”

The Holy See’s commitment to peace

Cardinal Zuppi’s mission follows the visit to Russia at the end of August by Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations. Archbishop Gallagher had also travelled to Ukraine in July before he visited Russia.

The Holy See’s diplomatic and humanitarian efforts have focused in particular on issues arising from the war, including humanitarian concerns affecting civilians, prisoners of war and children separated from their families.

Cardinal Zuppi’s latest mission continues the dialogue undertaken during his previous visits to Moscow and Kyiv, intending to support humanitarian initiatives and facilitate contacts between the parties.