Cardinal Zuppi: Beijing gave āconsiderable attention to peace missionā
By Vatican News
Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi returned to Italy on Friday, following his three-day mission to Beijing, China, as part of his role as ŠÓMAPµ¼ŗ½ Francisā special envoy to seek peace in Ukraine.
Speaking to TV2000, the broadcaster of the Italian Bishopsā Conference (CEI), of which he is the president, Cardinal Zuppi said his mission received āconsiderable attention from the Chinese government.ā
Just and secure peace in Ukraine
The Italian-born Cardinal and Archbishop of Bologna spoke of āa frank discussion with the envoy for Ukraine, with an important exchange of views and perspectives for the future.ā
He added that everyone āmust push in the same direction, which must be to find the key to a just and secure peace.ā
Cardinal Zuppi highlighted the importance of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrovās willingness to engage in dialogue and meet with him.
He said the development is āimportant because peace is achieved through dialogue and seeking possible and necessary avenues.ā
The Cardinal added that this āis certainly a positive development and aligns with the vision of ŠÓMAPµ¼ŗ½ Francis.ā
Responsibility of all parties
In terms of pursuing peace diplomatically, Cardinal Zuppi said the āball is not only in Ukraineās court. Everyone must play. Ukraine has already engaged and presented its proposals. In reality, everyone must participate in the pursuit of peace.ā
During his visit to Russia on 28-29 June, the Cardinal met twice with Yuri Ushakov, the Kremlin's foreign policy adviser.
He also met with Maria Llova-Belova, Russia's Presidential Commissioner for Children's Rights, to address the issue of Ukrainian children in Russia, as well as with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill.
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