Cardinal Zuppi ends a four-day Ukraine visit focused on POWs, detained civilians, children, humanitarian aid and Vatican peace efforts.
Newsroom (17/07/2026 Gaudium Press ) Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi returned to Rome on 16 July after completing a four-day mission to Ukraine that centered on humanitarian concerns arising from the ongoing war, including prisoners of war, detained civilians, the return of Ukrainian children, and broader efforts to protect civilians affected by the conflict.
The visit marked the president of the Italian Bishops’ Conference’s second mission to Ukraine, following his 2023 trip. During engagements in the Lviv region and Kyiv, Cardinal Zuppi conveyed the closeness and prayers of Pope Leo XIV, who has repeatedly called for peace and the safeguarding of human dignity amid the conflict.
The final stage of the cardinal’s visit took place in Kyiv, where he participated in events surrounding Ukrainian Statehood Day. On Tuesday afternoon, following the official ceremony in St Michael’s Square attended by President Volodymyr Zelensky and representatives of civil and religious institutions, Zuppi met with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha.
Discussions With Foreign Minister Sybiha
During their meeting, Sybiha expressed gratitude for the humanitarian engagement of the Holy See and discussed ongoing efforts related to peace initiatives and humanitarian priorities.
A key issue raised by the minister was the situation of detained Ukrainian civilians. Sybiha called for the creation of a humanitarian mechanism that could facilitate their release and highlighted the need for humanitarian access to the communities of Oleshky and Hola Prystan in the Russian-occupied Kherson region.
The foreign minister also addressed cultural heritage concerns, drawing attention to a recent attack on the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. The historic monastery complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is due to mark its 975th anniversary in August. Sybiha described the protection and restoration of the site as a priority for the Ukrainian government.
Humanitarian Issues at the Center of Vatican Efforts
Beyond high-level diplomatic discussions, humanitarian concerns formed the core of Cardinal Zuppi’s meetings with Ukrainian officials throughout the visit.
Talks focused on the return of prisoners, the repatriation of Ukrainian children taken across the border, humanitarian assistance for vulnerable communities, and the protection of civilians living in areas affected by the war.
Cardinal Zuppi emphasized that humanitarian action remains central to the Holy See’s approach.
“Even one soldier, one civilian or one child reunited with their family is a step towards peace,” he said. “Every possible effort will be made. This is the will of Leo XIV. Humanitarian commitment must stand above political or military considerations.”
His remarks underscored the Vatican’s continued emphasis on humanitarian outcomes as a pathway toward reducing suffering and building conditions conducive to peace.
Meetings With Officials and Families
According to the Italian daily Avvenire, the cardinal also met senior Ukrainian officials responsible for prisoner exchanges and human rights matters. He further held discussions with relatives of military personnel and civilians currently detained in Russia.
The meetings provided an opportunity for families to present concerns directly to Vatican representatives. Among the proposals discussed was support for an “all-for-all” prisoner exchange. Relatives and officials described the initiative as a possible mechanism for securing the release of approximately 7,000 Ukrainian prisoners held in Russia in exchange for about 4,000 Russian prisoners held in Ukraine.
Participants also reviewed cases involving missing persons, the repatriation of civilian detainees, and ongoing efforts to secure the return of Ukrainian children transferred across the border. The issue of children has remained a significant humanitarian concern and an area in which the Holy See has been engaged for several years.
Appeal for Access to Russian Prisons
A further request emerged following Cardinal Zuppi’s visit to the Zakhid-1 penal colony in the Lviv region. Relatives of detainees expressed hope that the Vatican envoy might eventually be able to visit prisons in Russia as part of broader humanitarian efforts.
Such access, families argued, could contribute to improving transparency regarding detainees’ conditions and support ongoing negotiations related to prisoner exchanges and civilian repatriation.
Mission Ends, Humanitarian Work Continues
As Cardinal Zuppi departed Ukraine for Rome, his visit highlighted the Holy See’s continuing focus on humanitarian engagement in the conflict. While discussions touched on broader peace efforts, the mission largely concentrated on tangible humanitarian objectives: securing the release of prisoners, reuniting children and families, assisting civilians, and maintaining dialogue with those directly affected by the war.
The cardinal’s meetings with government officials, human rights representatives, and the families of detainees underscored the Vatican’s view that humanitarian action remains an essential component of any path toward peace. As he concluded his visit, the message from both the Holy See and Ukrainian interlocutors was clear: efforts to reunite families and alleviate human suffering remain urgent priorities amid the continuing conflict.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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