Bologna, July 17, 2023 – The Cardinal’s work continues Matteo Zupi to promote Peace in troubled Ukraine: after the journey in Kyiv and Moscowthe envoy of Pope Bergoglio and Archbishop of Bologna, landed in Washington, where Morning The third stage of his peace mission will take shape: Talk to President Joe Biden.
The US President and the Vatican envoy, spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre, spoke about the “widespread suffering caused by Russia’s brutal war in Ukraine and the efforts of the United States and the Holy See to provide humanitarian assistance to those affected “, as well as discuss the following “del Repatriation of Ukrainian children forcibly deported from Moscow”.
The Rosary in San Luca
The announcement for this third trip It was made, somewhat surprisingly, by the Holy See, or rather when Zuppi had already boarded the plane with destination USA, but theArchdiocese of Bologna She immediately took action to “accompany” Don Matteo’s delicate peace mission with prayer: A rosary was celebrated tomorrow at 10 p.m. in the San Luca Sanctuary. The archdiocese “greets its archbishop in prayer,” said a statement, and the vicars-general call “all the faithful to prayer tomorrow at 10 p.m. at the Madonna di San Luca sanctuary.” Zuppi’s visit to Washington, the saint’s bulletin said chair, “takes place within the scope of the intended mission.” Peacebuilding in Ukraine and intends to exchange ideas and opinions on the current tragic situation and to support humanitarian initiatives to alleviate the suffering of the most affected and vulnerable people, especially children.”
The Road to the Armistice
Monsignor Zuppi’s third stage seems more and more like a concrete attempt Build a path to the truce on Ukrainian soil. The mission will last three days until Wednesday 19 July and the talks will focus in particular on the situation Ukrainian children. As in Ukraine and Russia, the president of the bishops will meet with senior figures in American diplomacy to take stock of the mediation process that the Papal States began more than a month ago with Zuppi’s first trip to Kiev.
The Vatican doesn’t want that exclude everyone from the “negotiations”. For peace, the Foreign Minister himself had emphasized: Peter ParolinoAnswering a question about the possible involvement of the United States and China.
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The stages of the peace mission
The Holy See’s peace mission officially began on last June 5th with the two-day visit of Zuppi a Kyiv, after the Pope, on his return trip from Hungary about a month earlier, had anticipated his intention to initiate a peace mediation. Francis’ envoy not only met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, but also visited one of the sites of war horrors, the mass graves of Bucha, scene of the massacre perpetrated by the Russians in March 2022. Zelensky himself welcomed the visit with joy. However, the Pope’s envoy declared: “Since the war is taking place on our territory, the formula for achieving peace can only be Ukrainian.” Three weeks later, on June 28-29, the President of the Bishops flew again for a two-day visit to Moscow. Despite an initial standoff with authorities, Zuppi returned to Italy with the “fruits of hope” on a path of peace. “A channel of dialogue has been opened and there is a willingness to continue on the path, and that was not a matter of course,” said the Catholic Bishop of Moscow, Monsignor Paolo Pezzi. The papal envoy did not meet Vladimir Putin, but he did meet with Yuri Ushakov, the Russian President’s assistant for foreign affairs, and then with Maria Lvova-Belova, Moscow’s commissioner for children’s rights. During his trip, Zuppi also met Patriarch Kirill, with whom he spoke about “humanitarian initiatives that can facilitate a peaceful solution” in what he described as a “very cordial” meeting. Pope Francis has been informed of all meetings and never misses an opportunity to revive the appeals for peace. Now the new, important trip to Washington, with the hope that new glimmers of peace will also open up from the USA.