Moscow ready to receive Vatican negotiator

Russian ambassador to the Vatican and Pope Francis. Photo: Vatican News

Russian Ambassador to the Vatican Ivan Soltanovsky told TASS that Pope Francis is ready to mediate in the war in Ukraine, but the West is preventing the resolution of the conflict.

He said that after the start of the SMO, Russian authorities received from the Vatican "a proposal to mediate in establishing a dialogue with the Ukrainian side". According to Soltanovsky, "the Holy See has taken a neutral and balanced position since the beginning of the war."

"We know that Pope Francis does not accept military action. We appreciate his efforts to establish a lasting and just peace," the Russian ambassador said.

He also told Moskovsky Komsomolets that Russian authorities are ready to receive Vatican negotiator Cardinal Matteo Zuppi in Moscow.

"If the case requires another visit of the Pope’s special envoy to Russia, such a possibility will be carefully considered. The doors in Moscow are open and the Vatican is aware of this," the diplomat said.

As earlier reported, Zelensky awarded two Vatican cardinals, including Matteo Zuppi.

Read also

In Spain, murderer moved to women's prison after claiming to be female

A Spaniard convicted of a series of brutal murders has secured a transfer to a women's prison allegedly based on a change of gender identity.

Georgian Patriarchate warns about fake social media pages

The Georgian Orthodox Church has stated that unknown individuals are using official symbols to create fake social media pages.

Court extends round-the-clock house arrest for Metropolitan Arseniy

The Chechelivsky Court of Dnipro left the abbot of the Sviatohirsk Lavra under house arrest and allowed him to attend medical procedures without separate permission.

OCU shows number of parishioners in seized church of Bezuhlivka

About 15 people with flags stood at the first "service" at St. Michael's Church after the seizure.

In Kyiv, OCU and UGCC сhaplains given an introductory tour of synagogue

Ukraine’s chief rabbi said that clergy of the OCU, UGCC, and RCC familiarized themselves with Jewish tradition at a synagogue.

OCU outraged that Lepliavo parish removed church property before seizure

The Cherkasy Eparchy of the OCU complained that after the fake “transfer” in Lepliavo, UOC faithful left them nothing but bare walls.