Vatican Confirms Peace Mission to End War in Ukraine

Cardinal Parollin expressed surprise that officials in Russia and Ukraine expressed surprise over the Vatican initiative when they were asked about Francescu's comments. Speaking during a conference at the Vatican, Parolin said the two countries were previously informed, Euronews writes.

“Based on my knowledge, they know. But, you know how these things work out, the bureaucracy can happen that the communications they're supposed to achieve don't reach”, they're quoted as saying,

These are just my interpretations, but I know that both sides were informed”, he added.

Francescu discovered the existence of a <x0-mission Vatican on 30 April, during a press conference following a visit to Hungary.

During his three days in Budapest, Francescu held private meetings with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has continued to maintain relations with Moscow, as well as with the former envoy of the Russian Orthodox Church, who has strongly supported Russia's war in Ukraine.

Francescu was asked during the press conference whether Orban or Mitrovici Hilarion of the Russian Orthodox Church could help him in talks mediated by the Vatican to end the war.

You can imagine that at this meeting we didn't just talk about Red, did we?

He reiterated his willingness to do everything necessary to end the war.

Also, there is a mission going on now, but it's still not public. Let's see how... When it's public I'll talk about it”, he said.