During the Youth Days 2023 in Lisbon, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi met with three Ukrainian bishops as part of preparations for his upcoming visit to Beijing. This meeting provided an opportunity to renew solidarity, for much unites the Church in Ukraine and Italy, and emphasized the special papal envoy for paving the paths of peace.
Recently, the Holy Father emphasized the crucial importance of continuing this mission, and the next step should be a journey to China, reports CREDO citing Vatican News.
During the meeting in Lisbon, bishops from both rites were present: Bishop Oleksandr Yazlovetsky of the Kyiv-Zhytomyr Diocese of the RCC in Ukraine, as well as Bishop Ivan Kulyk of Kamianets-Podilskyi and Auxiliary Bishop of the UGGC Exarchate of Donetsk, Maksym Ryabukha.
Bishop Yazlovetsky noted that the purpose of the visit was to express gratitude to "Italian bishops for everything they do for the Ukrainian Church."
Even before the start of Russia's open war against Ukraine, the Ukrainian and Italian Churches "were close due to numerous Caritas projects, and now this closeness has become even stronger," emphasized the hierarch.
In turn, Cardinal Zuppi pointed out that each day of armed conflict carries consequences, "war extinguishes life, and this life does not automatically renew itself after its end."
The Cardinal reiterated that "we cannot get used to war," and neither can we accept it. "Because when we hear news of deaths, violence, and losses, we must always remember that people are dying there," explained the papal envoy.
According to him, solidarity, which brings comfort, provides hope, and above all, concrete assistance is crucial today. "I see that there is so much of this solidarity," emphasized the hierarch. Additionally, prayers are needed, as well as "efforts to find all means to end this conflict.
In May 2023, Cardinal Zuppi received a special mission from the Pope to seek opportunities to pave the paths of peace. He has already visited Ukraine, Russia, and the United States and held discussions with Presidents Volodymyr Zelensky and Joseph Biden. As Pope Francis recently stated, the next step should be a visit to China. Because the United States and China "have the keys to reducing the tension of the conflict," the Pope emphasized in an interview with the Spanish publication "Vida Nueva".
He also noted that the most progress has been made in the issue of repatriating Ukrainian children from Russia. "All these initiatives are what I call offensive actions for the sake of peace," said the Holy Father.