Ukraine ask pope's help in getting children back from Russia
1 year, 8 months ago

Ukraine ask pope's help in getting children back from Russia

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Ukraine’s prime minister said he asked Pope Francis during a private Vatican audience Thursday to help facilitate the return of Ukrainian children who were forcibly taken to Russia. “I asked the Vatican and the Holy Father for help in getting back children taken by force by Russia,” the prime minister said. The International Criminal Court last month issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russia's children's commissioner, accusing them of war crimes for abducting children from Ukraine. Shmyhal described the phone call as “very productive” and said it marked “a new stage in Ukrainian-Chinese relations.” "I'm convinced it is a good beginning for our relations in the future,'' the prime minister said.

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History of this topic

Pope Francis discusses Ukraine with Hungary’s nationalist leader Viktor Orban
1 month, 1 week ago

Pope Francis discusses Ukraine with Hungary’s nationalist leader Viktor Orban

Associated Press  

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis met Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban at the Vatican on Wednesday and discussed with him the war in Ukraine, focusing on the humanitarian situation and efforts to promote peace in the region. Francis also discussed other themes with Orban, including the Hungarian presidency of the Council of the European Union as well as the “central …

10 Ukrainians held prisoner for years in Russia return home after Vatican mediation
6 months, 2 weeks ago

10 Ukrainians held prisoner for years in Russia return home after Vatican mediation

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — Ten Ukrainian civilians held prisoner for years by Russia arrived in Kyiv overnight Saturday after the mediation of the Vatican, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. Dzhelyal said many Ukrainians remain in captivity: “We cannot leave them there because the conditions, both psychological and physical, are very frightening there.” The former prisoners, wrapped in blue and yellow flags, …

Pope backtracks on Ukraine ‘white flag’ comments
10 months ago

Pope backtracks on Ukraine ‘white flag’ comments

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Pope Francis told Swiss broadcaster RSI that Ukraine should …

Vatican diplomats seek to defuse outrage over Pope Francis’ Ukraine ‘white flag’ comments
10 months ago

Vatican diplomats seek to defuse outrage over Pope Francis’ Ukraine ‘white flag’ comments

Associated Press  

ROME — The Vatican secretary of state is seeking to defuse outrage over Pope Francis’ latest diplomatic foray, insisting in media interviews that a primary condition for negotiations to end the war in Ukraine is an end to Russia’s aggression and that any peace must be a “just peace.” Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s chief diplomat, made the rounds with …

Ukraine criticises Pope's 'white flag' call, vows no surrender to Russia
10 months ago

Ukraine criticises Pope's 'white flag' call, vows no surrender to Russia

Hindustan Times  

Ukraine on Sunday slammed Pope Francis's call to negotiate with Russia two years into its invasion, vowing "never" to surrender after the pontiff said Kyiv should "have the courage to raise the white flag". Pope Francis The 87-year-old Catholic leader fuelled anger in Kyiv this weekend after he said in an interview that Ukraine should negotiate with Russia, which has …

Ukraine rejects pope’s call to ‘raise the white flag’ to end Russia’s war
10 months ago

Ukraine rejects pope’s call to ‘raise the white flag’ to end Russia’s war

Al Jazeera  

The Catholic leader, 87, told a Swiss broadcaster that Ukraine should negotiate with Russia and raised the idea of surrender. Ukraine has rejected Pope Francis’s call to hold negotiations with Russia more than two years into its invasion, saying that Kyiv will “never” surrender. We shall never raise any other flags,” Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on social media …

Ukrainian children repatriated from Russia through Qatari mediation
1 year, 3 months ago

Ukrainian children repatriated from Russia through Qatari mediation

Al Jazeera  

The Gulf country negotiated a mechanism to return Ukrainian children taken by Russians to their families. This first repatriation of Ukrainian children is part of a longer-term mechanism Qatar negotiated with both sides after months of secret talks, according to a Qatari official who spoke to Reuters. “We stand resolute in our commitment to this humanitarian cause and hope that …

Pope meets with new Russian ambassador as second Moscow mission planned for his Ukraine peace envoy
1 year, 3 months ago

Pope meets with new Russian ambassador as second Moscow mission planned for his Ukraine peace envoy

Associated Press  

VATICAN CITY — Russia’s new ambassador to the Vatican met Monday with Pope Francis for a protocol visit, as signs emerged that the Vatican’s Ukraine peace envoy could soon be undertaking a second mission to Moscow. Soltanovsky replaced Ambassador Alexander Avdeev, whom Francis met with on Feb. 25, 2022 in a remarkable in-person papal visit to the embassy the day …

Pope’s Ukraine peace envoy heads to China on mission to help return Ukraine children taken to Russia
1 year, 4 months ago

Pope’s Ukraine peace envoy heads to China on mission to help return Ukraine children taken to Russia

Associated Press  

ROME — Pope Francis’ Ukraine peace envoy, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, is heading to China on the fourth leg of a mission that has already brought him to Kyiv, Moscow and Washington, the Vatican said Tuesday. The main aim of the shuttle diplomacy is to help return Ukrainian children taken to Russia after the invasion. The Vatican described the visit as …

Ukraine’s Catholic bishops tell pope that his praise for Russia’s imperial past ‘pained’ Ukrainians
1 year, 4 months ago

Ukraine’s Catholic bishops tell pope that his praise for Russia’s imperial past ‘pained’ Ukrainians

Associated Press  

ROME — Ukraine’s Greek Catholic bishops told Pope Francis on Wednesday that his words praising Russia’s imperial past had pained the Ukrainian people, bringing complaints about the Vatican’s diplomatic neutrality in Moscow’s war on their country to the heart of the Holy See. While thanking Francis for his prayers, the bishops said certain statements and gestures from the pope and …

Vatican is moving ahead with plan to reunite Ukrainian children taken to Russia with their families
1 year, 5 months ago

Vatican is moving ahead with plan to reunite Ukrainian children taken to Russia with their families

Associated Press  

ROME — The Vatican is pressing ahead with a plan to try to reunite Ukrainian children taken to Russia during the war with their families, a senior Vatican official said. A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss a closed-door meeting, confirmed that a large part of Biden’s discussion with Zuppi concerned the Vatican effort to return …

The pope's Ukraine peace envoy heads to Washington with the plight of children top of his agenda
1 year, 5 months ago

The pope's Ukraine peace envoy heads to Washington with the plight of children top of his agenda

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Pope Francis’ peace envoy was …

Biden to meet with pope’s Ukraine peace envoy, with the plight of children top of cardinal’s agenda
1 year, 5 months ago

Biden to meet with pope’s Ukraine peace envoy, with the plight of children top of cardinal’s agenda

Associated Press  

ROME — U.S. President Joe Biden will meet with Pope Francis’ peace envoy Tuesday as part of the Holy See’s peace and humanitarian initiatives for Ukraine, with the plight of Ukrainian children taken to Russia topping the agenda, the White House and Vatican said Monday. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed Biden would meet with Zuppi on Tuesday to …

Pope's peace envoy arrives in Moscow after the short-lived Wagner rebellion
1 year, 6 months ago

Pope's peace envoy arrives in Moscow after the short-lived Wagner rebellion

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Pope Francis’ peace envoy arrived …

Vatican: Pope Francis tasks cardinal with mission aimed at paving ‘paths to peace’ in Ukraine
1 year, 7 months ago

Vatican: Pope Francis tasks cardinal with mission aimed at paving ‘paths to peace’ in Ukraine

Associated Press  

ROME — Pope Francis has tasked a leading Italian cardinal with a mission in hopes it can “ease tensions” in the Ukraine war and lead to a path of peace, the Vatican said Saturday. In a brief written statement, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said that Francis had entrusted the mission to Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, who is close to the pontiff. …

Vatican: Pope Francis tasks cardinal with mission aimed at paving 'paths to peace' in Ukraine
1 year, 7 months ago

Vatican: Pope Francis tasks cardinal with mission aimed at paving 'paths to peace' in Ukraine

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Pope Francis has tasked a …

Zelensky meets with Pope Francis at Vatican, says he sought backing for Ukraine’s peace plan
1 year, 8 months ago

Zelensky meets with Pope Francis at Vatican, says he sought backing for Ukraine’s peace plan

LA Times  

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had private talks with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Saturday, later saying he sought support for his peace plan from the pontiff, who in the past has offered to try to help end the war launched by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Instead, the Vatican said the two men spoke about Ukraine’s “humanitarian and political situation …

Pope could meet with Ukrainian president Zelenskyy on Saturday at Vatican, officials say
1 year, 8 months ago

Pope could meet with Ukrainian president Zelenskyy on Saturday at Vatican, officials say

Associated Press  

ROME — Pope Francis could meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Vatican this weekend, a Vatican official said Thursday. Word of the possible meeting Saturday in Rome followed news, confirmed last week by Berlin police, that Zelenskyy was expected in Germany starting Saturday evening. Italian media, citing unnamed sources, reported Thursday that Zelenskyy might be in Rome earlier that …

Vatican No 2 confirms Russia-Ukraine peace mission plans
1 year, 8 months ago

Vatican No 2 confirms Russia-Ukraine peace mission plans

Associated Press  

VATICAN CITY — The Holy See’s No. 2 official confirmed Wednesday the existence of a Vatican peace “mission” to try to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, days after Pope Francis raised eyebrows with an offhand revelation of a secret operation that was already underway. Francis was asked during the news conference if either Orbán or Metropolitan Hilarion of the Russian …

Pope speaks of secret peace ‘mission,’ help for Ukraine kids
1 year, 8 months ago

Pope speaks of secret peace ‘mission,’ help for Ukraine kids

Associated Press  

ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE — Pope Francis on Sunday revealed that a secret peace “mission” in Russia’s war in Ukraine was under way, though he gave no details, and said the Vatican is willing to help facilitate the return of Ukrainian children taken to Russia during the war. “There’s a mission that’s not public that’s underway; when it’s public I’ll …

Pope says Vatican involved in confidential Ukraine peace mission
1 year, 8 months ago

Pope says Vatican involved in confidential Ukraine peace mission

The Hindu  

The Vatican is involved in a peace mission to try to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Pope Francis said on Sunday, declining to give further details. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Pope Francis has pleaded for peace practically on a weekly basis, and has repeatedly expressed a wish to act as a broker between Kyiv and …

Pope says Vatican involved in Ukraine, Russia peace mission
1 year, 8 months ago

Pope says Vatican involved in Ukraine, Russia peace mission

Al Jazeera  

The pope’s comment comes hours after Moscow said its forces have advanced in the front-line city of Bakhmut. The Vatican is involved in a peace mission to try to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Pope Francis has said, declining to give further details. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Pope Francis has pleaded for peace practically on …

Pope in Hungary meets with Ukrainian refugees, Russian envoy
1 year, 8 months ago

Pope in Hungary meets with Ukrainian refugees, Russian envoy

Associated Press  

BUDAPEST, Hungary — Pope Francis plunged into both sides of Russia’s war with Ukraine on Saturday, greeting some of the 2.5 million Ukrainian refugees who have fled across the border to Hungary during a public prayer service and then meeting privately with an envoy of the Russian Orthodox Church that has strongly supported the war. Speaking in the white-brick St. …

Ukraine ask pope’s help in getting children back from Russia
1 year, 8 months ago

Ukraine ask pope’s help in getting children back from Russia

Associated Press  

ROME — Ukraine’s prime minister said he asked Pope Francis during a private Vatican audience Thursday to help facilitate the return of Ukrainian children who were forcibly taken to Russia. “I asked His Holiness to help us return home Ukrainians, Ukrainian children who are detained, arrested, and criminally deported to Russia,’' Shmyhal said. Speaking to reporters at the Foreign Press …

Russia protests pope comments as Vatican seeks to mediate
2 years, 1 month ago

Russia protests pope comments as Vatican seeks to mediate

Associated Press  

ROME — Russia has lodged a formal protest with the Vatican over Pope Francis’ latest condemnation of atrocities in Ukraine, in which the pontiff blamed most of the cruelty on Chechens and other minorities in an apparent effort to spare ethnic Russian troops from criticism. But he also said that, while it was the Russian state that invaded Ukraine, “Generally, …

Russia protests pope comments as Vatican seeks to mediate
2 years, 1 month ago

Russia protests pope comments as Vatican seeks to mediate

The Independent  

Get Nadine White's Race Report newsletter for a fresh perspective on the week's news Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Russia has lodged a formal protest with the …

Russia-Ukraine War: Kyiv Claims Full Control of Lyman; Pope Francis Appeals to Putin to End 'Spiral of Violence & Death'
2 years, 3 months ago

Russia-Ukraine War: Kyiv Claims Full Control of Lyman; Pope Francis Appeals to Putin to End 'Spiral of Violence & Death'

News 18  

Pope Francis Says War in Ukraine Has Become Serious, Urges for Immediate Ceasefire Asserting that the war in Ukraine has become serious and devastating, Pope Francis urged for an immediate ceasefire. #Russia #Peace — Pope Francis October 2, 2022 Ukraine Says Key Eastern Town Lyman 'Cleared' of Russian Troops Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday that Lyman, a key town …

Pope, opening Kazakh visit, blasts ‘senseless’ Ukraine war
2 years, 4 months ago

Pope, opening Kazakh visit, blasts ‘senseless’ Ukraine war

Associated Press  

NUR-SULTAN, Kazakhstan — Pope Francis begged for an end to Russia’s “senseless and tragic war” in Ukraine as he arrived Tuesday in the former Soviet republic of Kazakhstan to join faith leaders from around the world in praying for peace. Recalling that St. John Paul II visited Kazakhstan just days after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in the U.S., Francis …

Pope Francis praises ‘brave’ Ukraine, but war possibly ‘provoked’
2 years, 7 months ago

Pope Francis praises ‘brave’ Ukraine, but war possibly ‘provoked’

Al Jazeera  

Pope Francis praises ‘brave’ Ukrainians and decries the ‘cruelty’ of Russian troops, but says the situation is not black and white. Pope Francis has made new remarks on the war in Ukraine, praising “brave” Ukrainians for fighting for survival but also suggesting the situation was not black and white and that the war was “perhaps somehow either provoked or not …

Vatican minister visits Ukraine as pope toes delicate line
2 years, 7 months ago

Vatican minister visits Ukraine as pope toes delicate line

Associated Press  

VATICAN CITY — The Vatican’s foreign minister, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, is heading to Kyiv this week as the Holy See seeks to balance its concern for Ukrainians amid Russia’s war with its efforts to keep open a channel of dialogue with Moscow. The secretariat of state tweeted Tuesday that the visit would mark the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations with …

Pope’s Ukraine diplomacy a political and spiritual tightrope
2 years, 8 months ago

Pope’s Ukraine diplomacy a political and spiritual tightrope

Associated Press  

VATICAN CITY — His appeals for an Orthodox Easter truce in Ukraine went unheeded. Rather, Francis has found himself in the unusual position of having to explain his refusal to call out Russia or President Vladimir Putin by name — popes don’t do that, he said — and to defend his “very good” relations with the head of the Russian …

Pope Francis calls out Russian Orthodox Church leader for acting like 'Putin's altar boy'
2 years, 8 months ago

Pope Francis calls out Russian Orthodox Church leader for acting like 'Putin's altar boy'

Raw Story  

Pope Francis says that he has told the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, not to "transform himself into Putin's altar boy" by continuing to justify the Russian president's unprovoked attack on Ukraine. The Catholic leader sharply criticized the patriarch for parroting Putin's justifications for the brutal assault. Kirill has echoed Putin's stated justifications for invading Ukraine, saying …

Pope's Ukraine diplomacy a political and spiritual tightrope
2 years, 8 months ago

Pope's Ukraine diplomacy a political and spiritual tightrope

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Rather, Francis has found himself in the unusual position …

Pope offers to meet Putin, still waiting to hear back
2 years, 8 months ago

Pope offers to meet Putin, still waiting to hear back

Associated Press  

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis told an Italian newspaper he had offered to travel to Moscow to meet with President Vladimir Putin to try to end Russia’s war in Ukraine and suggested the invasion might have been provoked by NATO’s eastward expansion. Francis said he made the offer about three weeks into Russia’s invasion, via the Vatican secretary of state, …

Pope offers to meet Putin, still waiting to hear back
2 years, 8 months ago

Pope offers to meet Putin, still waiting to hear back

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Pope Francis has told an …

Pope still working on meeting Russian Orthodox patriarch
2 years, 9 months ago

Pope still working on meeting Russian Orthodox patriarch

Associated Press  

ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE — Pope Francis said Sunday he was still working on arranging a meeting with the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, despite that leader’s seeming justification for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and said he wouldn’t rule out travelling to the region if it would help. Kirill has called for peace and for civilians to be spared …

'Rivers of blood and tears...': Pope Francis calls on Russia to end Ukraine war
2 years, 10 months ago

'Rivers of blood and tears...': Pope Francis calls on Russia to end Ukraine war

Hindustan Times  

Pope Francis on Sunday joined the chorus of voices condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine and rejected Moscow's description of the violence as only a 'military operation. The Pope's strong words come days after churches in Poland - which has welcomed refugees fleeing bloodshed and violence in Ukraine - publicly condemned the invasion and urged the Russian Orthodox Church to use …

Local churches shun Vatican’s moderate stance on Russia
2 years, 10 months ago

Local churches shun Vatican’s moderate stance on Russia

Associated Press  

ROME — The head of the Polish bishops’ conference has done what Pope Francis has so far avoided doing: He publicly condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and urged the head of the Russian Orthodox Church to use his influence with Vladimir Putin to demand an end to the war and for Russian soldiers to stand down. The Vatican secretary of …

Pope condemns ‘diabolical logic’ of war
2 years, 10 months ago

Pope condemns ‘diabolical logic’ of war

The Hindu  

Pope Francis has denounced the “diabolical and perverse logic” of launching a war in Ukraine in his strongest public comments yet. Pope Francis also called Sunday for humanitarian corridors to welcome Ukrainian refugees fleeing the “tragic” invasion of their homeland. Pope Francis has refrained from calling out Russia by name as he seeks to mend ties with the Russian Orthodox …

Pope makes personal appeal in remarkable Russia embassy trip
2 years, 10 months ago

Pope makes personal appeal in remarkable Russia embassy trip

Associated Press  

ROME — Pope Francis went to the Russian Embassy on Friday to personally “express his concern about the war” in Ukraine, in an extraordinary, hands-on papal gesture that has no recent precedent. The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, the largest Eastern Rite church in communion with Rome, welcomed Francis’ protocol-bending diplomatic intervention and said he hoped it would …

Pope Visits Russian Embassy To 'Express Concern' About Ukraine
2 years, 10 months ago

Pope Visits Russian Embassy To 'Express Concern' About Ukraine

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING ROME — Pope Francis went to the Russian Embassy on Friday to “express his concern about the war,” an extraordinary, hands-on papal gesture that came on the same day the Vatican announced he was canceling other upcoming events because of an “acute” flareup of knee pain. For Francis, the Vatican head of state, to leave the city …

Pope Francis voices concern in unusual step
2 years, 10 months ago

Pope Francis voices concern in unusual step

Deccan Chronicle  

Pope Francis went to the Russian embassy in Rome on Friday to personally express his concern about the war in Ukraine, in an extraordinary papal gesture that has no recent precedent. Ukraine pleads for help as Russian missiles pound Kyiv Missiles pounded Ukraine's capital on Friday as Russian forces pressed their advance and authorities in Kyiv said they were preparing …

Pope makes personal appeal in remarkable Russian Embassy trip
2 years, 10 months ago

Pope makes personal appeal in remarkable Russian Embassy trip

LA Times  

Pope Francis meets Russian President Vladimir Putin on the occasion of their private audience at the Vatican on June 10, 2015. The pope went to the Russian Embassy on Friday to personally “express his concern about the war,” the Vatican said. Pope Francis went to the Russian Embassy on Friday to personally “express his concern about the war” in Ukraine, …

Pope Francis Expresses 'Worry' Regarding Ukraine, Reiterates Appeal For Peaceful Resolution
2 years, 11 months ago

Pope Francis Expresses 'Worry' Regarding Ukraine, Reiterates Appeal For Peaceful Resolution

News 18  

Pope Francis reiterated his appeal to the Christian faithful asking them to keep Ukraine in their thoughts and prayers. I entrust to the intercession of the Virgin Mary, and to the conscience of political leaders, every effort on behalf of peace,” Pope Francis’ official handle tweeted. Pope Francis earlier expressed concern regarding the security of the European region when he …

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