‘Every possible effort will be made’ Cardinal Zuppi concludes humanitarian mission to Ukraine

Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi returned to Rome on July 16 after a four-day humanitarian mission to Ukraine, where he met with government officials, prisoners of war, displaced civilians, and families affected by the war while conveying Pope Leo XIV’s prayers and support for the Ukrainian people.

According to Vatican News, the trip, which began on July 13 in the Lviv region before continuing to Kyiv, marked the cardinal’s second mission to Ukraine as the Holy See’s special envoy after his initial visit in 2023 under Pope Francis. Like his earlier missions, the visit focused on humanitarian efforts, including prisoner exchanges, the return of deported children, family reunifications, and aid.

In the Lviv region, Cardinal Zuppi visited the Zakhid-1 detention center, where Ukrainian authorities are holding Russian prisoners of war. He delivered gifts from Pope Leo and told detainees, “The Pope is praying for you,” while expressing hope they would return home soon, according to Vatican News.

The cardinal also met with internally displaced Ukrainians receiving assistance through the Community of Sant’Egidio, a Catholic lay movement that has long partnered with the Vatican on humanitarian initiatives.

In Kyiv, Cardinal Zuppi joined Statehood Day commemorations on July 15, which coincided with the Christian feast marking the Baptism of Kyivan Rus’. He participated in a flower-laying ceremony at St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery, walked alongside the “Memory Wall” honoring Ukrainians killed in the war, laid red roses, and offered a prayer in Ukrainian for what he called a “just peace.”

He invoked the intercession of St. Volodymyr, asking God to grant wisdom to the leaders of both Ukraine and Russia.

Later, the cardinal met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and other officials to discuss humanitarian priorities, including prisoners of war, civilians detained in Russia, the return of Ukrainian children taken across the border, missing persons, and continued humanitarian assistance.

According to Vatican News, Sybiha thanked the Holy See for its humanitarian engagement and discussed ongoing peace efforts. He also called for a humanitarian mechanism to facilitate the release of detained Ukrainian civilians and requested humanitarian access to Russian-occupied communities in the Kherson region.

Speaking after the meetings, Cardinal Zuppi said humanitarian work remains at the center of the Vatican’s efforts.

“Even one soldier, one civilian or one child reunited with their family is a step towards peace,” he said. “Every possible effort will be made. This is the will of Leo XIV. Humanitarian commitment must stand above political or military considerations.”

Pope Leo has repeatedly appealed for an end to the war in Ukraine, and Cardinal Zuppi has led the Vatican’s humanitarian initiatives on Ukraine since 2023.