Pope appoints cardinal to lead Ukraine peace mission

The Holy See Press Office confirms that Pope Francis has entrusted Cardinal Matteo Zuppi with a mission to help ease the tensions in the Ukraine conflict.

That's according to Vatican News, Ukrinform reports.

"I can confirm that Pope Francis has entrusted Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, Archbishop of Bologna and President of the Italian Bishops' Conference, with the responsibility of leading a mission, in agreement with the Secretariat of State, that contributes to an easing of tensions in the Ukraine conflict, in the hopes that this can initiate paths of peace, something never abandoned by the Holy Father," said Matteo Bruni, the Director of the Holy See Press Office.

As reported earlier, on May 1, Pope Francis said that the Vatican was participating in a peacekeeping mission to try to end Russia's war against Ukraine.

The pontiff said he hoped to send personal delegations to the presidents of Ukraine and the Russian Federation to mediate a ceasefire. Cardinal Matteo Zuppi of Bologna will travel to Kyiv for talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine.

Photo: www.vaticannews.va