mission Vatican special envoy It began to try to end the Ukrainian war. This was announced by the Papacy in a very brief statement this Monday. The beginning of Cardinal Matteo Zuppi’s journeyPresident of the Italian Episcopal Conference and Archbishop of Bologna appointed for this new mission in the Slavic country by Pope Francisco just 15 days ago.
“This is an intended initiative. listen deeply The Vatican briefed the Ukrainian authorities on possible ways to achieve a just peace. wants to continuegestures of humanity contributing relieve tension“, Added.
It is reported that 67-year-old Zuppi, whose visit will take place on Mondays and Tuesdays, will go to Kiev, the capital of Ukraine. However, it is not known whether a meeting with the Ukrainian president is on his agenda. Volodymyr Zelensky, or other members of the country’s Government.
counterattack
As emphasized in recent weeks, it is a reflection of a visit to Turkey. a very difficult timeopposed mediation by Ukrainian authorities and third parties with Russia. Ukraine “ready” to launch military counter attackZelenski said just two days ago. “Weapons destroy all hope of peace,” Francis reiterated recently.
In addition, it is not clear how the communication between the Pope and the Pope is. Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia. In fact, in the past year and a half, Francis has successfully mediated the exchange of some prisoners captured by Russia and Ukraine, but whether the Pope has the opportunity to do so is unknown. talk directly to the Russian leader. Something he was able to do with Zelenski during his recent visit to Rome.
This the meeting didn’t exactly end with the best oversight For Vatican mediation. “With all due respect to His Holiness, we don’t need middlemen “We need a just peace between Ukraine and the aggressor, and we must take care of the rest,” Zelenskiy said.
risks
In this confused context, the key can be found exactly as: zuppia bishop who has served successfully in the past Conflict mediator in Africa. Even so, Vatican voices think that if it fails, the reputation of Zuppi, one of the cardinals today, will also rise. with better fame It can be damaged within the Catholic Church.
The preface isn’t one of the best, because it’s also the last outing Chinese conflict mediator Lu Hui finished by confirming that the path was correct. still uphill. “There is a great distance between the positions of the two countries. We did our first time, it was difficult to get a good result the first time,” said Hui.
In this context, the Vatican has recently tried to lower expectations regarding the Vatican mission. first targetcreate a different atmospherea climate that helps everyone move towards a goal peaceful solutionHe is not in “urgent mediation”, the Vatican Foreign Minister said last week, Pietro Parolin.