Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, head of the Italian Bishops’ Conference and the Pope’s envoy for the Ukraine crisis, suggested that China could play a pivotal role in advancing peace efforts. In an interview with Corriere della Sera, the cardinal outlined a vision in which international actors cooperate to end the war and secure durable resolutions for civilians affected by the fighting. He emphasized that the Vatican is actively engaging with key capitals to facilitate dialogue and build trust among parties involved in the conflict.
According to Zuppi, both Moscow and Kyiv acknowledge the Vatican’s influence. He noted that nuncios in the capital cities have been performing admirably, serving as discreet bridges between weapons-deprived colleagues and negotiators seeking a path to peace. The cardinal expressed a measured optimism about the possibility of progress, while also underscoring the urgency of recovering children who have been separated from their families as a humanitarian priority. He stressed that the peace process must be measured by outcomes that protect civilians and restore basic dignity to those displaced by the war.
He made clear that victory should not be measured by battlefield gains alone. The cardinal warned against a mindset that treats military triumph as the sole route to a solution, arguing that true peace requires addressing underlying grievances and creating conditions for dialogue to bear fruit. He highlighted that it is not naive to believe that durable peace can emerge from negotiation and mutual concessions, even amid entrenched tensions and entrenched interests on both sides.
Zuppi’s remarks also framed the Vatican as a convening power that encourages the wider international community to participate in the peace process. He described the involvement of international actors as essential, noting that the third party’s engagement can help craft feasible, fair, and verifiable agreements. In his view, global diplomacy should move beyond rhetoric and focus on concrete steps that reduce risk, protect civilians, and provide practical mechanisms for ensuring compliance and accountability.
The cardinal also reflected on the broader humanitarian stakes of the Ukraine crisis. He described hunger and poverty as persistent, cross-border issues that demand immediate attention and resource allocation. He urged leaders and institutions to direct resources toward alleviating human suffering, including food assistance and financial support for vulnerable populations impacted by the conflict. This humanitarian lens, he said, should be integrated into every stage of the peace process to ensure that negotiations translate into real relief for those most in need.
In discussing possible pathways to peace, Zuppi suggested that China could contribute in several constructive ways. He did not advocate abandoning dialogue with Western capitals or regional powers, but rather encouraged a multipronged approach that leverages China’s influence and willingness to engage in constructive diplomacy. The cardinal believed that China could help facilitate dialogues, create venues for talks, and support confidence-building measures that might reduce tension and create space for concessions necessary to achieve a lasting settlement.
He also called for a post-conflict framework that preserves and respects international norms. A sustainable peace, he argued, requires guarantees for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the protection of minority rights. The Vatican’s role, in his view, is to help ensure that any settlement is anchored in human dignity and the rule of law, with transparent monitoring mechanisms and international cooperation to verify progress on the ground. The cardinal’s overarching message was clear: peace is possible when the parties commit to serious negotiation, the international community stays engaged, and humanitarian concerns remain at the forefront of all discussions.