The Pope’s special envoy to Ukraine, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, at the conference “Mass migration from Ukraine as a result of Russian aggression” at the Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw, said his mission in the war-torn country is quite specific.
He emphasized that the main goal of his mission is to find ways to promote peace, especially in the humanitarian dimension. Cardinal Zuppi noted that they are focusing on helping children, particularly those who have been abducted from their families, and on their return home.
According to the cardinal, thanks to the diplomatic efforts by the Vatican, it was possible to save a Ukrainian orphan boy who was abducted into Russia and threatened with conscription into the Russian army. The boy was brought back to Kyiv, where he now lives with his sister.
Cardinal Zuppi also touched on the issue of diplomatic dialogue with those responsible for war crimes, such as Russian President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, the Russian President’s Commissioner for Children’s Rights. He noted that peace requires talking with enemies, but not forgetting responsibility and justice.
Cardinal Zuppi recognized that the main problem for a just peace is Russia’s recognition of its wrongdoings and compensation for the damages inflicted. He emphasized the need to find peaceful ways of justice, according to the law, and to involve the united international community to achieve this goal.
Answering a question about the inconsistency of the ecumenical and diplomatic dialogue with the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Kirill, Cardinal Zuppi said that this dialogue “must be possible … in spite of everything.” He emphasized the importance of maintaining dialogue, even if it does not mean admitting the interlocutor is right.
Cardinal Zuppi assured that Pope Francis “perfectly understands” the pain of Ukrainians and stands on the side of the oppressed and those who suffer injustice. He mentioned the gratitude of the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, for the peace efforts made by the Pope and trust in the Catholic Church.
Cardinal Zuppi expressed concern that the interest of Europeans and the entire Western world in the war in Ukraine is dwindling, and there is less and less coverage in mass media, which also affects the provision of assistance to those in need. He called for solidarity and reminded of the importance of covering developments in Ukraine.
The cardinal also said that the Church in Italy decided to organize a vacation in the cardinal’s homeland for children from Ukraine to show them that the world is not bad and that there is a lot of good in it. He emphasized the need to support those who have lost everything and need to rebuild their lives.
