Pope Francis’ Ukraine peace envoy, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, is heading to China on the fourth leg of a mission to return Ukrainian youngsters 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 mentioned 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 mentioned Tuesday.
The principle purpose of the shuttle diplomacy is to assist return Ukrainian youngsters taken to Russia after the invasion.
Zuppi, accompanied by an official from the Vatican secretariat of state, shall 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 assist humanitarian initiatives and the seek for paths that may convey a couple of simply peace.”
Francis tapped Zuppi, a veteran of the Catholic Church’s peace diplomacy, in Might as his envoy, aiming to “provoke paths of peace.” Over time, Zuppi’s mission has targeting the humanitarian entrance and specifically in making an attempt to ascertain a mechanism to assist Ukrainian youngsters who have been moved to Russia following the invasion which started in Feb. 2022.
The Worldwide Felony Court docket issued an arrest warrant in late March for Russia’s minister for youngsters’s rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing them of abducting youngsters from Ukraine. Russian officers have denied any pressured adoptions, saying some Ukrainian youngsters are in foster care.
No particulars of Zuppi’s work have emerged, although Francis has mentioned he imagined the Vatican may play a job because it has in some prisoner swaps. Zuppi has met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Lvova-Belova and different prime advisers to Putin, and President Joe Biden.
“The hope is to push and weave the troublesome internet of peace,” Zuppi instructed the broadcaster of the Italian bishops convention, which he heads, earlier than leaving.
Just lately, 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.