• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Elizabeth Scalia
          • Michael R. Heinlein
          • Effie Caldarola
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Mark Viviano
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • Magazine Subscriptions
        • Archdiocesan Directory
  • CR Radio
        • CR Radio
        • Protagonistas de Fe
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe
Italian Cardinal Matteo Zuppi of Bologna, fourth from left, stands next to Russian Orthodox Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, head of external church relations for the Moscow Patriarchate, during a meeting in Moscow Oct. 16, 2024. (CNS photo/courtesy of Russian Orthodox Church, Department for External Church Relations)

Papal envoy visits Russia to discuss humanitarian situation in Ukraine

October 16, 2024
By Cindy Wooden
Catholic News Service
Filed Under: Feature, News, War in Ukraine, World News

Share
Share on Facebook
Share
Share this
Pin
Pin this
Share
Share on LinkedIn

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Italian Cardinal Matteo Zuppi of Bologna, Pope Francis’ envoy for peace in Ukraine, returned to Moscow in mid-October for meetings with Russian government officials and leaders of the Russian Orthodox Church.

The cardinal began his visit to Moscow Oct. 15 “to meet with authorities and assess further efforts to facilitate the family reunification of Ukrainian children” forcibly taken to Russia “and the exchange of prisoners, with a view to achieving the much hoped-for peace,” said Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office.

Cardinal Zuppi had traveled to Moscow in June 2023 as well.

The cardinal’s first meeting Oct. 15 was with Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister. A statement on the foreign ministry’s website said, “The parties had an in-depth discussion on cooperation in the humanitarian sphere in the context of the conflict around Ukraine and touched upon a number of topical issues on the bilateral and international agenda.”

According to Vatican News, Cardinal Zuppi met Oct. 16 with Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s commissioner for children’s rights. In March 2023 the International Criminal Court in The Hague issued an arrest warrant for Lvova-Belova and Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing them of violating international law by taking thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia.

The Ukrainian government’s Children of War website estimates that as of Oct. 16, more than 19,500 children have been “deported or forcibly displaced” from Ukraine and only 388 have been returned.

Cardinal Zuppi, accompanied by Archbishop Giovanni D’Aniello, the papal nuncio to Russia, also met Oct. 16 with Russian Orthodox Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, head of external church relations for the Moscow Patriarchate.

“During the conversation, the parties discussed humanitarian problems related to the conflict in Ukraine, as well as other issues of mutual interest,” said a statement from Metropolitan Anthony’s office.

Cardinal Zuppi left the Synod of Bishops at the Vatican to travel to Russia four days after Pope Francis met at the Vatican with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who said his conversation with the pope focused on “bringing our people home from captivity.”

“We are counting on the Holy See’s assistance in helping to bring back Ukrainians who have been taken captive by Russia,” President Zelenskyy had posted on X Oct. 11.

After reciting the Angelus prayer Oct. 14, Pope Francis also pleaded publicly with Russia to “stop the airstrikes against the civilian population, which is always the most affected. Stop the killing of innocent people!”

And he specifically asked “for the Ukrainians not to be left to freeze to death” due to Russia’s destruction of power plants and gas supply lines as winter approaches.

Read More War in Ukraine

Pope to Ukrainian Greek Catholics: ‘God will have the last word,’ ‘life will conquer death’

Pope Leo XIV’s diplomatic efforts may impact U.S. foreign policy, analyst says

Vatican can take 3 key steps to bring Ukrainian kids back from Russia, says child advocate

Kyiv’s historic cathedral damaged in Russian air strikes

Yes, it’s our war, too

Pope speaks by phone with Russian leader Putin

Copyright © 2024 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

Print Print

Share
Share on Facebook
Share
Share this
Pin
Pin this
Share
Share on LinkedIn

Primary Sidebar

Cindy Wooden

Click here to view all posts from this author

For the latest news delivered twice a week via email or text message, sign up to receive our free enewsletter.

| MOST POPULAR |

  • Hunt Valley parishioner recalls her former student – a future pope

  • superman Movie Review: ‘Superman’

  • Deacon Gary Elliott Dumer Jr., active in men’s ministry, dies

  • Loyola University Maryland graduate ordained Jesuit priest

  • Father Robert Wojsław dies at 52

| Latest Local News |

Quo Vadis attracts biggest crowd ever, promotes camaraderie and faith

Lay associates journey with the Oblate Sisters of Providence

Father Robert Wojsław dies at 52

Scopes Monkey Trial ignited century-long debate on evolution and belief 

Deacon Gary Elliott Dumer Jr., active in men’s ministry, dies

| Latest World News |

Three dead, Holy Family Gaza pastor injured after mid-morning Israeli attack

Proof of life for kidnapped Nigerian priest received by Alaska diocese where he served

Filled with hope, Christians know cries of the innocent will be heard, pope says

Pope calls for ceasefire, dialogue, peace after church hit in Gaza

School club gives students chance to benefit veterans, fosters Gospel value of serving others

| Catholic Review Radio |

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Quo Vadis attracts biggest crowd ever, promotes camaraderie and faith
  • Three dead, Holy Family Gaza pastor injured after mid-morning Israeli attack
  • Proof of life for kidnapped Nigerian priest received by Alaska diocese where he served
  • Filled with hope, Christians know cries of the innocent will be heard, pope says
  • Pope calls for ceasefire, dialogue, peace after church hit in Gaza
  • School club gives students chance to benefit veterans, fosters Gospel value of serving others
  • Top Republican appears to walk back probe of Catholic entities amid charged committee hearing
  • Mahmoud v. Taylor: A Supreme Court victory for parents, freedom
  • Church leaders, faithful in procession to Detroit ICE office call for just immigration policies

Search

Membership

Catholic Media Assocation

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2025 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

en Englishes Spanish
en en