Pope Francis’ Ukraine peace envoy, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, is heading to China on the fourth leg of a mission to return Ukrainian kids taken to Russia
ByThe Related Press
September 12, 2023, 12:03 PM
FILE – Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, head of the CEI (Italian Convention of Bishops), welcomes parishioners after celebrating Mass on the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Moscow, on June 29, 2023. Pope Francis’ Ukraine peace envoy, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, is heading to China on the fourth leg of a mission that has already introduced him to Kyiv, Moscow and Washington, the Vatican stated Tuesday.. (AP Picture/Alexander Zemlianichenko, file)
The Related Press
ROME — Pope Francis’ Ukraine peace envoy, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, is heading to China on the fourth leg of a mission that has already introduced him to Kyiv, Moscow and Washington, the Vatican stated Tuesday.
The principle goal of the shuttle diplomacy is to assist return Ukrainian kids taken to Russia after the invasion.
Zuppi, accompanied by an official from the Vatican secretariat of state, can be in Beijing from Wednesday to Friday. The Vatican described the go to as a “additional step within the mission desired by the pope to help humanitarian initiatives and the seek for paths that may convey a few simply peace.”
Francis tapped Zuppi, a veteran of the Catholic Church’s peace diplomacy, in Could as his envoy, aiming to “provoke paths of peace.” Over time, Zuppi’s mission has focused on the humanitarian entrance and specifically in attempting to ascertain a mechanism to assist Ukrainian kids who have been moved to Russia following the invasion which started in Feb. 2022.
The Worldwide Legal Court docket issued an arrest warrant in late March for Russia’s minister for kids’s rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing them of abducting kids from Ukraine. Russian officers have denied any pressured adoptions, saying some Ukrainian kids are in foster care.
No particulars of Zuppi’s work have emerged, although Francis has stated he imagined the Vatican might play a task because it has in some prisoner swaps. Zuppi has met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Lvova-Belova and different high advisers to Putin, and President Joe Biden.
“The hope is to push and weave the tough net of peace,” Zuppi instructed the broadcaster of the Italian bishops convention, which he heads, earlier than leaving.
Not too long ago, Francis made a robust public overture to China whereas visiting neighboring Mongolia, once more voicing his esteem for the Chinese language individuals and hopes for constructive dialogue on church issues with Beijing. He additionally has gained reward from Russia for latest feedback extolling “Nice Mom Russia” — feedback that angered Ukraine and its Greek Catholic bishops.