Vatican Official Calls for End to Ukraine War During Moscow Visit

During a meeting in Moscow on August 25, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican's foreign minister, called for an end to the ongoing Ukraine war. This marked the first in-person discussions between Vatican and Russian officials in five years.

Gallagher emphasized that the prolonged conflict creates new victims daily and complicates future reconciliation efforts. He and Lavrov discussed potential pathways to peace and agreed to collaborate on humanitarian issues, particularly concerning children affected by the war.

Gallagher's last visit to Moscow occurred in 2021, prior to the war's outbreak. Pope Leo has consistently advocated for an end to the conflict, highlighting the increasing number of civilian casualties, including children. Gallagher reaffirmed the Vatican's commitment to providing spiritual, diplomatic, and humanitarian support to facilitate dialogue aimed at resolving the war.