Cardinal Matteo Zuppi begins another trip for the Vatican's peace mission in Ukraine. As the special envoy for Pope Francis, he will be in Washington D.C. from July 17-19.
During his visit, he will discuss the current situation in Ukraine with U.S. government officials and support humanitarian initiatives to alleviate the suffering of those affected by the war.
According to Ukrainian authorities, nearly 20,000 children have been deported to Russia. Cardinal Zuppi's visit is part of the Vatican's efforts to return these children home. At the end of February, some Ukrainian parliamentarians called for Vatican intervention.
YEVHEN PETRUNYAK
Parliamentarian, Ukraine
We have witnessed the great impact of the Holy See's help in prisoner exchanges, so we want to ask the Pope also to help us in returning our children.
ROSTYSLAV TISTYK
Parliamentarian, Ukraine
These children are in Russia. They are kept in different recreation camps, in hospitals, in various centers. They do everything possible to get these children adopted by Russian families.
Cardinal Zuppi's last peace mission trip took place in Moscow at the end of June. There, he spoke with the Kremlin's foreign policy advisor and met with the Patriarch of Moscow.
PA
TR: AT
