Pope Francis said on Sunday that the Vatican is involved in a peace mission to end the war between Russia and Ukraine and is ready to assist in the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. According to Reuters, the Pope made these remarks during his return flight to the Vatican after a three-day trip to Hungary, stating, "There is currently a mission underway, but it is not yet public. When it becomes public, I will share it." He added, "I believe that peace is always created by opening pathways; you can never achieve peace by closing pathways." Since Russia's military invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Pope Francis has repeatedly called for peace and expressed his willingness to mediate between Kyiv and Moscow, although his proposal has not yet made any progress. The 86-year-old Pope had previously stated that he wishes to visit both Kyiv and Moscow for a peace mission. On Thursday, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal met with the Pope at the Vatican and mentioned that he discussed the "peace formula" proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Shmyhal also requested assistance in returning children abducted by Russia. Kyiv estimates that nearly 19,500 children have been taken to Russia or Russian-occupied Crimea since Moscow's invasion last February, which it considers illegal removal.
Pope Francis: Vatican Participates in Secret Peace Mission for Ukraine
Pope Francis announced the Vatican's involvement in a secret peace mission aimed at resolving the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, including efforts to return abducted Ukrainian children. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal met with the Pope to discuss peace proposals and the return of these children. This situation highlights ongoing international efforts to mediate in the Ukraine crisis.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Pope Francis announced that the Vatican is engaged in a secret peace mission to resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, including efforts to return abducted Ukrainian children. This statement followed a meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, who discussed peace proposals and child abduction issues.
- The Vatican is involved in a peace mission that is currently not public.
- Ukrainian estimates suggest nearly 19,500 children have been abducted by Russia since the invasion.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has led to significant humanitarian crises, including the abduction of children, prompting calls for international intervention and peace negotiations.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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