The Vatican has received a list of Ukrainians held in Russian prisons and camps for release. Zelensky confirmed this on social media after a phone call with the Holy See's deputy.
Until now, these calls were usually taken by the Pope, who was still in the hospital. Therefore, Cardinal Parolin spoke with the Ukrainian President, who wished the Pope a speedy recovery.
He also thanked Pope Francis for his efforts to secure the return of Ukrainian children taken to Russia during the 2022 invasion.
It is a mission that the Pope entrusted to Cardinal Zuppi and that Vatican diplomacy is discreetly carrying out.
CARD. MATTEO ZUPPI
Archbishop of Bologna, Italy
We are beginning to protect the little ones, as you have recalled. This is the task of the mission entrusted to me by Pope Francis, which is beginning to bear some fruit for those who need to be reunited with their families.
In fact, one of the first public movements regarding mediation was last June, when ten prisoners were released, including two priests. It was an action that included the Pope's personal involvement.
ABP. SVIATOSLAV SHEVCHUK
Primate, Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church
I would like to express my gratitude, on my behalf and on behalf of our entire Church, to the Holy Father, Pope Francis, who personally participated in the release of our priests, Fathers Bohdan and Ivan. Despite the great obstacles, as their imprisonment lasted more than a year and a half, it was the efforts of Vatican diplomacy that proved to be successful.
Zelensky's requests for mediation from the Holy See began even before the escalation of the conflict. Back in 2020, when he first visited the Vatican, he asked Pope Francis to help free Ukrainian prisoners of war held by the Russians.
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TR: GS
