The Vatican's number two, Card. Pietro Parolin says the Holy See is ready to mediate between Russia and Ukraine.
He says it is crucial “to avoid any escalation, stop the clashes and negotiate.”
The Cardinal disclosed that Pope Francis, when he visited the Russian ambassador the day after Russia invaded Ukraine, asked him “to stop the fighting and return to negotiations.”
Since the outbreak of the conflict, the Pope has made two diplomatic moves. The first broke completely with protocol. He personally paid a visit to the Russian ambassador to the Holy See to express his concern over the conflict.
The second was a phone call to Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, who thanked the Pope for his prayers.
JRB
TR: CT
