The Pope assures that the Vatican “has a mission underway” to mediate with Russia

Pope Francis has shown his confidence in the ability of the Vatican to help in the return of the Ukrainian children forcibly taken to Russia. “I think so, because the Holy See has already worked as intermediary in some of the situations prisoner exchange through the Embassy (Russia before the Holy See) and I think it can also work on this”, he explained during the flight back from Hungary.

Responding to journalists about Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal’s request to help bring back the children taken to Russia, the pope confirmed that “There is a mission underway”. In addition, he affirmed that “the Holy See is always willing to do everything for the right causes and help” in cases like this, “which are cases of humanity”.

Francis has also made an appeal for “don’t stop the enthusiasm” in helping Ukrainian refugees. He cited the case of the ukrainian women who are fleeing the war and has warned that if enthusiasm and attention to these cases are lost “the vultures may arrive” and take advantage

[Las insólitas imágenes del Papa en Hungría: como una estrella del rock en un estadio con 12.500 jóvenes]

He also confirmed that he discussed the possibilities of dialogue to stop the war in Ukraine with the Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, because “peace is made by opening channels and never by closing them”. The Pontiff added that “it is not easy, and it is the speech I have made to Orbán and the one I make everywhere.”

The Ukrainian prime minister spoke with Francisco on the 27th in the Vatican, where they discussed the peace plan indicated by the president of Ukraine, Volodimir Zelenskyand “possible steps the Vatican could take to help to come to peace“.

In addition to asking you for help so that the children taken by force to Russia can return to the country, he also invited the pontiff once again to visit his country.

On the other hand, about his meeting in Budapest with the patriarch Hilarionwho was for years the Right hand of the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, Cirilo, explained that the war was also one of the topics. Francisco commented that although after the war he has only maintained contact with Cirilo, he is still in contact with his now Foreign Affairs representative, Antoni, and that although the meeting with the patriarch was suspended due to the war “it will have to be done”.