杏MAP导航

By Salvatore Cernuzio & Devin Watkins

As part of his peace mission for Ukraine as 杏MAP导航 Francis鈥� special envoy, Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi has held talks with US President Joe Biden at the White House.

The meeting took place at 5 PM (GMT-4) on Tuesday, and lasted approximately two and a half hours.

Appreciation for Holy See鈥檚 humanitarian efforts

A statement released by the White House said that President Biden 鈥渟hared his wishes for 杏MAP导航 Francis鈥檚 continued ministry and global leadership and welcomed the recent nomination of a US archbishop as Cardinal.鈥�

The president and the Cardinal also spoke about 鈥渢he Holy See鈥檚 efforts providing humanitarian aid to address the widespread suffering caused by Russia鈥檚 continuing aggression in Ukraine.鈥�

They went on to discuss the Vatican鈥檚 鈥渁dvocacy鈥� for the return of the estimated 19,000 Ukrainian children who have been brought to Russia since the renewed invasion on 24 February 2022.

Advocacy on behalf of children

Ukraine鈥檚 government says the true number of Ukrainian children in Russia could be much higher.

Cardinal Zuppi, the Archbishop of Bologna and President of the Italian Bishops鈥� Conference, had already brought up the topic during his previous missions to Kyiv (5-6 June) and Moscow (28-30 June).

In Russia, the Italian-born Cardinal spoke about it with Yuri Ushakov, Vladimir Putin's foreign policy adviser, and Maria Lvova-Belova, Children's Rights Commissioner for the President of the Russian Federation.

The Commissioner鈥檚 website confirmed that the topic was discussed, and published a photo of the Cardinal鈥檚 visit explaining that they had spoken about humanitarian issues related to the 鈥渕ilitary operation鈥� and the protection of children鈥檚 rights.

鈥楶romote peace in Ukraine鈥�

Cardinal Zuppi traveled to Washington on 17 July, along with an Official from the Vatican鈥檚 Secretariat of State, and his visit is due to conclude on Wednesday.

Ahead of his meeting with President Biden, the Cardinal met on Capitol Hill with several members of the US Congress.

The Holy See Press Office had announced on Monday that Cardinal Zuppi would visit Washington to 鈥減romote peace in Ukraine鈥�.

His mission, according to a press statement, 鈥渟eeks to facilitate the exchange of ideas and opinions regarding the current tragic situation, as well as to provide support for humanitarian initiatives aimed at alleviating the suffering of the most vulnerable people, particularly children.鈥�

Nuncio鈥檚 comment on Zuppi鈥檚 mission

Speaking on Tuesday to several Italian media outlets, the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States said Cardinal Zuppi鈥檚 mission is to 鈥渙pen a dialogue: to listen and be listened to.鈥�

Cardinal-elect Christophe Pierre said 杏MAP导航 Francis hopes to 鈥渃ontribute to peace, and more specifically to find inroads on humanitarian grounds, particularly with regard to children.鈥�

鈥淭he idea is to consider peace, amid the complicated context,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he Cardinal is very realistic, and we try to do what we can.鈥�