Cardinal Matteo Maria Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi, Archbishop of Bologna and president of the Italian Bishops' Conference arrived in Washington D.C. on the 17th to carry out a peace mission in Ukraine entrusted by Pope Francis.
The Cardinal will be in the United States for three days to speak with American authorities about the current war in Ukraine and to discuss the implementation of joint humanitarian initiatives between the U.S. and the Holy See to alleviate the suffering of thousands of Ukrainians, especially children illegally deported to Russia.
Karine Jean-Pierre, White House Secretary, informed in a statement that President Biden will receive Cardinal Zuppi this Tuesday, July 18 at the White House. She said the two leaders will discuss the suffering of thousands of Ukrainians due to "the brutal war" and will also discuss humanitarian aid to be sent to the affected region. In this meeting at the presidential residence, emphasis will be placed on the repatriation of Ukrainian children.
Cardinal Zuppi will travel to the United States accompanied by an official from the Vatican Secretariat of State. Both envoys will also meet with ecclesiastical authorities in the capital. Cardinal Zuppi recently traveled to Ukraine on June 5-6 and to Russia on June 28-29 as part of his peace mission to Ukraine.
