By Devin Watkins

Pope Francis appointed Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi, Archbishop of Bologna and President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, as his special envoy for peace in Ukraine in June 2023.

According to Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Office, Cardinal Zuppi’s visit to Moscow is an essential part of his mission as the Pope’s envoy.

The Cardinal will engage with Russian authorities to explore efforts to reunite Ukrainian children with their families and facilitate the exchange of prisoners to advance the prospects of peace in the region, as stated by Mr. Bruni.

A Path to Peace: Cardinal Zuppi’s Previous Visits

Cardinal Zuppi’s peace mission began with a trip to Ukraine on June 5-6, 2023, where he held discussions with President Volodymyr Zelensky and other officials.

In late June, the Cardinal visited Russia, meeting with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill and government officials, including key figures involved in foreign policy and children’s rights.

Subsequently, he traveled to Washington, D.C., in mid-July to confer with US President Joe Biden and deliver an important message from Pope Francis.

Continuing his journey for peace, Cardinal Zuppi visited Beijing in September 2023 and engaged in discussions with China’s Special Representative for Eurasian Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.