Zuppi reports to pope on mission to Moscow – English | CPT PPP Coverage

(ANSA) – ROME, JUL 4 – President of the Italian Bishops’
Conference and Archbishop of Bologna Cardinal Matteo Zuppi on
Tuesday reported to Pope Francis on the outcome of his two-day
mission to Moscow aimed at “identifying humanitarian initiatives
that could open up paths to achieving peace”.
   
“Yes, I have reported to the Pope” on the mission in Moscow, the
papal envoy told reporters.
   
Zuppi also said his mission to the Russian focused in particular
on the issue of deported Ukrainian children.
   
“We hope to start with the youngest, with those who are most
fragile,” said the cardinal.
   
On the next steps, Zuppi said: “We need to set up a mechanism
and do what is possible as quickly as possible”.
   
During his time in the Russian capital last week Zuppi met with
Moscow’s ombudswoman for children’s rights Maria Lvova-Belova
and twice with President Vladimir Putin’s foreign policy advisor
Yuri Ushakov, among others.
   
“During these meetings, the humanitarian aspect of the
initiative was strongly emphasized, as well as the urgency to be
able to attain that peace that is highly desired,” said the Holy
See in a statement issued after the mission.
   
For his part, Ushakov said in an interview to Interfax news
agency after the second meeting with Zuppi that their discussion
has been “useful for both sides”.
   
“No specific ideas were put forward, but it was clearly
suggested that the Vatican sees a logical field for its efforts.
   
These are humanitarian affairs, an exchange of detained
civilians, issues related to the relocation of children, and
other matters of this kind,” said the presidential aide.
   
The papal envoy “demonstrated the aspiration – and this is very
important – to depoliticize all humanitarian affairs, and
expressed a sincere wish to help people in distress. We support
such sentiments of the papal representative in principle,” added
Ushakov, saying he noted at the meeting that Moscow “appreciates
the balanced and impartial stance of the Vatican”.
   
Cardinal Zuppi’s mission to Moscow came on the heels of a
similar mission to Kyiv in early June, when he met with
representatives of the civil and religious authorities and with
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. (ANSA).