Senior Vatican Official Calls for Peace in Ukraine After Meeting With Lavrov in Moscow
The talks on Tuesday between Archbishop Paul Gallagher and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov marked the first in-person meeting between the two diplomats since 2021.
Archbishop Paul Gallagher, a senior Vatican official akin to a foreign minister, implored for an end to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine following a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on Tuesday. Gallagher emphasized that the war between Russia and Ukraine continues to create new victims and complicates future reconciliation efforts.
During a joint press conference with Lavrov, Gallagher reiterated the urgency of ending the conflict and exploring alternative paths toward peace. The two discussed potential avenues for peace and agreed to collaborate on humanitarian issues, such as assisting children affected by the war. Gallagher, the Vatican's second-highest diplomatic representative, previously visited Moscow in 2021 to engage in talks with Lavrov prior to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Pope Leo has consistently advocated for an end to the conflict, lamenting the increasing number of civilian casualties, including children, as a result of the war. The Vatican pledged to offer spiritual, diplomatic, and humanitarian support, contributing to dialogue aimed at bringing the conflict to a close. Gallagher stated that while the Vatican faces unprecedented challenges, including Russia's Prosecutor General Office labeling The Moscow Times as undesirable and their staff at risk of prosecution, the Vatican remains committed to providing impartial reporting on Russia.
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