Cardinal Zuppi to visit Moscow as Pope Francis' peace envoy

By Devin Watkins

The Holy See Press Office confirmed on Tuesday that Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi, Archbishop of Bologna and President of the Italian Bishops' Conference, will embark on a visit to Moscow as an envoy of Pope Francis.

The visit, scheduled for 28-29 June 2023, aims to strengthen “gestures of humanity that can contribute to promoting a solution to the current tragic situation and find paths toward a just peace.”

Cardinal Zuppi will be accompanied by an Official from the Secretariat of State.

As he visits Moscow, Cardinal Zuppi will likely uphold Pope Francis desire for a resolution to the war on the European continent.

The Pope has been a vocal advocate for peace, consistently calling on world leaders and individuals alike to work towards resolving conflict through peaceful means.

He has made countless appeals for prayers for people suffering due to the war in Ukraine.

Previous visit to Kyiv

The Italian-born Cardinal’s visit comes on the heels of his previous visit to Kyiv, on 5-6 June, during which he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other high-level government officials.

During the meeting, Cardinal Zuppi conveyed Pope Francis' concern for the Ukrainian people.

The Cardinal emphasized the need for parties involved to prioritize dialogue and find common ground for a just resolution to the war.

The meeting with President Zelensky provided an opportunity to discuss steps to alleviate suffering, rebuild trust, and advance reconciliation.

Cardinal Zuppi reiterated the Vatican's readiness to assist through diplomatic channels and humanitarian initiatives.

As the papal peace envoy, Cardinal Zuppi's visit to Moscow seeks to underscore the Holy See’s dedication to actively engage in peacebuilding efforts and collaborate with international partners on behalf of peace.