The Vatican's next stop on its Ukrainian peace mission might be Beijing, China.
Cardinal Zuppi, a special peace envoy for Pope Francis, traveled to Washington, D.C. last week where he met with President Biden. Prior to this, he also traveled to Kyiv and Moscow to promote humanitarian aid for Ukraine and the return of Ukrainian children from Russia.
The potential trip to Beijing—which could take place as early as the next couple of weeks—was reported by multiple Italian news sources like Corriere della Sera but has not yet been confirmed by the Vatican.
If this trip to China takes place, it could signify strides forward in the historically complex relationship between the Vatican and China, who have not had formal diplomatic ties in over 70 years.
Word of the possible trip comes just one week after Pope Francis' recent move to confirm the new Bishop of Shanghai, even though he was appointed by Chinese officials without the Vatican's approval.
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