Vatican Envoy Visits Moscow
The Vatican’s top diplomat has arrived in Moscow as tensions surrounding the Ukraine war remain high.
Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States, began his visit on Monday.
His trip will continue until Thursday.
Gallagher is the highest-ranking Vatican official to visit Russia since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Gallagher to Meet Russian Foreign Minister
Gallagher is scheduled to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday.
The talks could provide an opportunity for the Vatican to keep diplomatic channels open with Moscow.
His schedule also includes meetings with representatives of the Moscow Patriarchate.
He will also meet members of Russia’s small Catholic community.
Vatican Maintains Contact With Both Sides
The visit reflects the Vatican’s long-standing diplomatic approach.
The Holy See generally promotes active neutrality and avoids cutting communication with parties involved in conflicts.
Gallagher last visited Russia in November 2021.
That was several months before Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The Vatican has since continued efforts to support humanitarian initiatives.
Humanitarian Issues Remain a Priority
The Holy See has backed humanitarian measures involving Russia and Ukraine.
These efforts include prisoner exchanges and the return of Ukrainian children.
The Vatican has also explored opportunities that could eventually support peace negotiations.
However, diplomatic efforts to end the conflict have faced major obstacles.
Russia and Ukraine have both increased attacks in recent weeks.
The escalation has also contributed to rising civilian casualties.
Relations With Russian Orthodox Church Remain Difficult
Vatican relations with Moscow remain sensitive.
One major challenge involves the close relationship between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Kremlin.
Patriarch Kirill has strongly supported Moscow’s position on the war.
Relations became even more strained after comments from the late Pope Francis in 2022.
Francis told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera that the patriarch should not be Vladimir Putin’s “altar boy.”
The remark created further tension between the Vatican and the Russian Orthodox leadership.
Zuppi Has Also Pursued Dialogue
Gallagher’s visit follows another Vatican diplomatic effort.
In July, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi traveled to Kyiv.
He carried a message of solidarity from Pope Leo XIV.
During the visit, Zuppi also met Russian prisoners in Ukraine.
His diplomatic role has focused heavily on humanitarian issues linked to the conflict.
Another Moscow Visit Could Follow
Gallagher’s mission may not be the Vatican’s final diplomatic move toward Moscow.
Russia’s ambassador to the Holy See, Ivan Soltanovsky, recently said Moscow was preparing another invitation for Zuppi.
The cardinal has already visited Moscow in 2023 and 2024.
According to Soltanovsky, another visit could take place in September.
Vatican Keeps Communication Channels Open
The latest mission shows that the Vatican continues to view dialogue as an important diplomatic tool.
The Holy See hopes continued communication can support humanitarian initiatives and potentially create space for future peace efforts.
For now, however, the war remains unresolved.
With fighting intensifying and diplomatic negotiations stalled, Vatican Moscow diplomacy could provide one of the few remaining channels for continued engagement between the sides.
