The Vatican Secretary of State and the Russian Foreign Minister discussed the Pope’s request to end the attacks, humanitarian corridors and assistance for Ukrainian civilians.
Newsroom (08/03/2022 12:40, Gaudium Press) Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, had a phone call with Sergey Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister, on Tuesday, March 8.
Holy See spokesman Matteo Bruni confirmed the phone call. The subject of the conversation was the Russian invasion. Card. Parolin “conveyed Pope Francis’ deep concern about the ongoing war in Ukraine,” Matteo Bruni remarked.
Sergey Lavrov reportedly laid out Vladimir Putin’s motivations and objectives without speaking of war, using instead the term “special military operation.” Parolin also reaffirmed the Pope’s request to end the attacks and called for humanitarian corridors and assistance for Ukrainian civilians.
The phone conversation also addressed the need to schedule a new round of negotiations between Ukrainian and Russian authorities to end the war.
Ukraine has accepted the Vatican’s mediation. Cardinal Parolin, the second man in the Church hierarchy, has stated that he favours a dialogue between the two sides. (FM)
Compiled by Gustavo Kralj
