Vatican Diplomat in Moscow to Meet Sergei Lavrov Amid Ukraine War
The Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States has arrived in Moscow for high-level meetings, marking a continuation of diplomatic efforts during a critical period in international...
The Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States has arrived in Moscow for high-level meetings, marking a continuation of diplomatic efforts during a critical period in international relations.
Table Of Content
Vatican Diplomacy in the Service of Peace
Vatican media noted that the visit’s schedule confirms the Apostolic See’s willingness to continue pursuing dialogue, even during one of the most difficult periods for international relations globally. The Vatican News portal described the trip as diplomacy and dialogue in the service of peace, following repeated appeals by Pope Leo XIV for an end to the war in Ukraine.
Archbishop Gallagher’s Return to Moscow
Archbishop Gallagher, the Secretary for Relations with States, was last in Moscow in November 2021, three months before the outbreak of Russia’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine. In subsequent years, the Holy See continued relations and meetings with representatives of Russian authorities, who were spoken to by special envoy for Ukraine Cardinal Matteo Zuppi and Metropolitan Anthony, head of the Department for External Church Relations at the Moscow Patriarchate, whom Pope Leo XIV received in audience at the Vatican in July of last year.
Kremlin Confirms Meeting with Foreign Minister Lavrov
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated prior to Archbishop Gallagher’s arrival that a meeting with President Vladimir Putin is not planned, though he is scheduled to hold talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Engaging the Local Catholic Community
The Vatican emphasizes that in addition to diplomatic and ecumenical meetings, the trip will also be an opportunity for the Secretariat of State hierarch to meet with the Catholic community in Moscow, speaking with bishops, clergy, and members of the local faithful. The Catholic Church in Russia is a small community dispersed over a vast area, comprising the Archdiocese of the Mother of God in Moscow and dioceses in Saratov, Novosibirsk, and Irkutsk.
Prior Vatican Visits to Ukraine
In July of this year, Archbishop Gallagher visited Ukraine, meeting in Kyiv with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. As the special envoy of Pope Leo XIV, he celebrated Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Berdychiv and presided over ceremonies marking the 25th anniversary of St. John Paul II’s pilgrimage to Ukraine and the 35th anniversary of the restoration of Latin Church structures in the country.
Continuation of Special Envoy Engagements
In July, Vatican envoy and President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference Cardinal Matteo Zuppi was also in Ukraine, and on Sunday he told journalists that he hopes to return to Moscow at the end of September.
