Cardinal Zuppi’s Humanitarian Mission to Ukraine
Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi, President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, has embarked on a four-day humanitarian mission to Ukraine to convey the closeness of Pope Leo XIV and reinforce Holy See diplomatic channels.
This marks his second mission to the country, building on his 2023 visit under Pope Francis to facilitate prisoner exchanges, locate missing persons, and repatriate deported Ukrainian children.
“Grant a just peace. May prisoners return home, may children embrace their families once again, may the missing be found, and may everyone be able to mourn over the body of their loved one who has fallen. Inspire in each one of us the courage and wisdom to become builders of peace...”
Key Details of the Visit
Prisoner of War Visit: In the Lviv region, Cardinal Zuppi visited the Zakhid-1 detention center holding captured Russian soldiers. Accompanied by Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas and Ukraine’s Ambassador to the Holy See Andrii Yurash, the Cardinal toured the facility and personally distributed gifts from the Pope—including symbolic keychains and holy cards—while praying for an end to the war and their safe return home.
Ukrainian Statehood Day: In Kyiv, Cardinal Zuppi joined President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and local religious leaders in St. Michael's Square to mark Ukrainian Statehood Day and the Baptism of Kyivan Rus'.
A Prayer for Peace: Walking along the Memory Wall for fallen soldiers, Cardinal Zuppi laid a bouquet of roses and read a prayer in Ukrainian. He petitioned for a "just peace" and asked Saint Volodymyr to enlighten the minds of both heads of state (Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin) toward justice.
Local Meetings: The Cardinal met with Lviv’s regional military head, Maksym Kozytskyi, to discuss ongoing cooperation regarding missing persons, and visited the Community of Sant'Egidio to offer encouragement to internally displaced Ukrainians. He is scheduled to meet with local NGOs and institutional representatives to further the Holy See's humanitarian efforts.
Messages from Pope Leo XIV
While meeting with prisoners at the Zakhid-1 detention center, Cardinal Zuppi delivered personal messages of hope and specific gifts directly from Pope Leo XIV:
"The Pope is praying for you." — The overarching message delivered by Cardinal Zuppi, expressing Pope Leo XIV's spiritual closeness to the detainees.
"He sent me here to tell you that he is praying for peace and for the war to end." — Cardinal Zuppi, explaining the meaning behind the Pope’s portrait gifted to the prisoners.
"Pope Leo sent the Nuncio and me here to bring you hope. He is praying for you, that the war may end and that you may return home." — The Cardinal reiterating the Pope's primary humanitarian mission during his address in the camp.
"The Pope asked me to bring you a keychain. I hope that soon you'll put your house key on it..." — Cardinal Zuppi, distributing the symbolic keychains sent by the Pope as a gesture of hope for the prisoners' eventual release and safe return to their families.
Sources: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2026-07/cardinal-zuppi-begins-mission-to-ukraine-prays-for-end-to-war.html and https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2026-07/cardinal-zuppi-papal-envoy-ukraine-pastoral-visit-kyiv-solidarit.html
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