We submitted a list with the prisoners’ names during the meeting, and we discussed potential measures the Vatican could take to facilitate their release. We are very grateful to Cardinal Zuppi for his compassion, humanity and Christian support, all of which are extremely important to Ukraine at this extremely difficult time.” Iryna Vereshchuk, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister, posted about her meeting in Rome on Thursday with Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, the Holy See’s special envoy for the humanitarian mission in Ukraine. Accompanied by the Russian ambassador to the Holy See, Andrii Yurash, the Deputy Prime Minister met the cardinal with a group of 30 women whose family members are detained in Russian prisons. “During the course of the conversation,” writes Vereshchuk, “the prisoners’ families had the opportunity to express their anguish and concerns directly to the Holy See, while also sharing their hopes and aspirations for the timely reunification with their loved ones.” She was interviewed by SIR and the daily newspaper Avvenire.
Are the circumstances favourable for a meeting with Vladimir Putin?
President Zelensky is determined to meet with national leaders who can contribute to a real breakthrough. However, it is impossible for him to travel to Russia, which continues to bomb our territory and civilian populations day after day. His openness is undoubtedly indicative of Ukraine’s desire to bring an end to the war. The Ukrainian people support him in his efforts. While we are open to negotiations, we reject capitulation. On this issue, Zelensky is firm and consistent. Millions of Ukrainians are suffering and dying to preserve their freedom.
Ukraine truly wants peace, and it is fighting for peace. No one wants peace more than Ukraine.
Pope Leo XIV suggested that the Vatican host talks between Ukraine and Russia. Moscow refused. What about Kyiv?
The decision regarding the sending of the delegations lies with our president. We are certainly looking forward to welcoming Pope Leo to Ukraine. We have invited him.
Why is the Pope’s visit so important to you?
The Pontiff is a man of hope. He understands the suffering of others and shows the true meaning of mercy. Furthermore, we must not forget that the Catholic Church is founded on canon law, which forms the basis of international humanitarian law — a law that Russia continues to violate. Ukraine wishes to unite around the Pope, as happened with John Paul II in 2001. I was there too, as a young student at the Military Institute. Millions of people gathered with the Pope — it was an extraordinary event. Today, Ukraine views Leo XIV as a beacon of hope. They are grateful for his appeals for peace and for his efforts.
He knows that he will show the world that there is an aggressor and a victim in this war, and that the victim must be supported and the conflict stopped.
What are the results of the Holy See’s humanitarian diplomacy, which aims to secure the repatriation of prisoners, the release of captured Ukrainian minors held in Russia, and the return of remains of fallen soldiers?
I firmly believe that the Vatican’s role in the humanitarian field is, and will continue to be, extremely significant.
Our requests are supported by Cardinal Zuppi, who is engaged in a number of important initiatives. The meeting with the women whose relatives are prisoners in Russia is testament to this. He paid heed to their concerns and offered reassurance that every possible course of action would be pursued. What we need is for the international community to step up its efforts. Further strengthening relations between the Holy See and Ukraine is also essential for this purpose. The voice of the Church is indispensable. I was involved in the talks from the very beginning of the war. I witnessed the return of the first children, civilians and soldiers: these were unique experiences. I am therefore the first witness to the transformative power of faith. I told Cardinal Zuppi that my family follows the Benedictine motto, ‘Ora et labora’ (‘Pray and work’). In these years of war, the entire Ukrainian population has adopted this motto as “Pray and fight”.
