Pope Risks Seen As Supporting Putin As He Sends Peace Envoy To Russia After Mutiny: WSJ

In a move that could be potentially interpreted as support for Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pope Francis is dispatching his personal peace envoy for Ukraine, Italian Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, to Moscow, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Peace Mission

Cardinal Zuppi’s visit on June 28 and 29 aims to “encourage gestures of humanity” and find ways to achieve a just peace amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The Vatican has not specified who Zuppi will meet during his visit, WSJ reported.

Political Implications

The visit comes after an attempted mutiny by the Wagner Group, a private army involved in Russia’s war on Ukraine, challenged Putin’s authority. The Pope’s decision to send an envoy could be seen as bolstering Putin’s credibility, which could exacerbate tensions with Ukraine, according to the Journal.

Ukraine’s Stance

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who met with Pope Francis last month, has stated that Ukraine does not need a mediator with Russia and has asked the Vatican to support his peace plan, which involves the return of all Russian-occupied territory to Ukraine.

Zuppi’s Background

While not a professional diplomat, Cardinal Zuppi, a member of the Rome-based Catholic lay group Community of Sant’Egidio, has experience in peace negotiations, having participated in talks that ended Mozambique’s civil war in 1992, according to the Journal.

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