Pope Francis

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Update:  Pope Francis' recovery

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-06/pope-francis-holy-see-medical-update-recovery-surgery-11-june.html
Pope Francis continues his recovery in hospital, has lunch with staff
11 June 2023, 13:18

The Holy See Press Office announces that Pope Francis continues to recover well from his surgery, having recited the Angelus prayer in private before joining members of staff who have been assisting him for lunch.
Vatican News

As Pope Francis continues his convalescence in Rome's Gemelli hospital, after absominal surgery, the Holy See Press Office announced on Sunday that:

"The medical staff has informed us that the post-operative recovery of Pope Francis is normal.

The Holy Father continues to be apyretic and haemodynamically stable (no fever, stable heart rate and pressure); he underwent respiratory physiotherapy and continued to move about.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-06/pope-may-great-dream-of-fraternity-inspire-good-politics.html

Pope: May the great dream of fraternity inspire good politics
11 June 2023, 10:14

Pope Francis sends a message to the president of the European People's Party (EPP) group at the European Parliament, urging them to be aware of the responsibility of Christian politicians "to translate the great dream of fraternity into concrete actions of good politics at all levels."
By Adriana Masotti

Pope Francis has addressed a message to the president of the European People's Party (EPP) group at the European Parliament, Manfred Weber. The text carries the date of 9 June, the day when an audience with the EPP parliamentarians was scheduled, but later cancelled due to the Pope's hospitalisation.

In his message, the Pope touched on a number of points, including the responsibility of Christian politicians, the rich heritage of the Church's social doctrine as a helpful guide, the idea of a Europe that can hold together unity and diversity of cultures, and the need for a higher vision in politics that brings to concrete reality the dream of fraternity and respect for every person.
 

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/254541/pope-francis-sends-message-from-hospital-to-european-parliament-political-party
Pope Francis sends message from hospital to European political party
By Courtney Mares
Rome, Italy, Jun 11, 2023 / 05:10 am

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Update:  Pope Francis' recovery

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-06/pope-francis-update-from-rome-gemelli-hospital-12062023.html
Pope Francis' recovery proceeding normally
12 June 2023, 12:29

All is proceeding well with Pope Francis' recovery, the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, says, as he offers an update on the Pope's continued progress following his laparotomy and abdominal wall plastic surgery, which took place last week.
By Vatican News staff reporter

Doctors say Pope Francis is recovering well, as he observes medical indications, says the Holy See Press Office, in its latest update on the Holy Father's recovery following his surgery last Wednesday.

In the statement, the Director of the Press Office, Matteo Bruni, said: "The medical team reports that the Holy Father's post-operative recovery continues to be regular, observing medical indications."

Pope Francis, he noted, "continues to eat regularly. This morning, he received the Holy Eucharist and then devoted himself to his work activities."
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-06/pope-offers-condolences-prayers-for-silvio-berlusconi.html

Pope offers condolences, prayers for Silvio Berlusconi
12 June 2023, 14:21

Pope Francis joins in the mourning of former Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, who died today at age 86, after battling illness, calling the three-time Italian PM and businessman "a protagonist in Italian political life" who "held public responsibilities with energetic temperament."
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Pope Francis has offered his condolences and prayers for Silvio Berlusconi, Italy's longest-serving Premiere, who passed away on Monday at age 86.

In a telegram sent on the Pope's behalf by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, to the former Italian Prime Minister's daughter, Maria Elvira Berlusconi, in Milan, the Pope mourned the late Italian politician.

According to the Associated Press, Berlusconi was admitted to the San Raffaele Hospital in Milan on Friday, his second recent hospitalization for treatment of chronic leukemia. He also suffered over the years from heart ailments, prostate cancer and was hospitalized for COVID-19 in 2020.

A state funeral will be held Wednesday in Milan's Duomo cathedral, according to the Archdiocese of Milan.
 

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Photo gallery at the link...

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/254542/photos-eucharistic-procession-in-the-vatican-gardens-on-corpus-christi
PHOTOS: Eucharistic procession in the Vatican Gardens on Corpus Christi
By Courtney Mares
Vatican City, Jun 12, 2023 / 05:00 am

On the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, a German bishop led a eucharistic procession through the Vatican Gardens.

Corpus Christi, also known as the solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, is a 700-year-old feast in the Catholic Church that commemorates the real presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

Pope Urban IV officially established the feast in 1264 following a eucharistic miracle in the Italian town of Bolsena. Today the feast of Corpus Christi is commonly used as an opportunity for public eucharistic processions, which serve as a sign of common faith and adoration.

The Vatican procession on June 11 began immediately following a Mass in the Church of Our Lady of Mercy by German Teutonic Cemetery offered by Bishop Josef Clemens.
 

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Update:  Pope Francis' recovery

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-06/doctors-report-pope-francis-continued-good-recovery-at-gemelli.html
Pope Francis' recovery continues: blood tests good
13 June 2023, 12:40

Doctors say Pope Francis' blood test results are normal and his recovery is proceeding well, the Director of the Holy See Press Office reports.
By Vatican News staff reporter

Doctors say Pope Francis' tests and therapies are proceeding normally, as he rests, prays and works.

This is the latest update from the Holy See Press Office following the Pope's surgery last Wednesday.

In the statement, the Director of the Press Office, Matteo Bruni, said: "The Holy Father rested well during the night. The results of the blood tests he underwent were normal; he is continuing his respiratory therapy."

The Pope, he continued, dedicated time this morning to working and reading.

Before lunch, Bruni concluded, the Holy Father went to the chapel in his private suite, where he spent time in prayer and received the Eucharist.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-06/pope-francis-world-poor-day-message-politics-tobit.html

Pope's World Day of the Poor message: Don't look away!
13 June 2023, 12:00

Pope Francis pens a message for the annual World Day of the Poor, stressing that “whenever we encounter a poor person, we cannot look away, for that would prevent us from encountering the face of the Lord Jesus.”
By Joseph Tulloch

Pope Francis has released his message for the annual World Day of the Poor, stressing that a “great river of poverty is traversing our cities”, and that every Christian is called to become “personally involved” in the struggle against it.

His message for the World Day, which will be celebrated this year on Sunday 19th November, takes the form of an extended reflection on the Book of Tobit.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/poveri.index.html
Messages World Day of the Poor
Seventh World Day of the Poor, 2023: “Do not turn your face away from anyone who is poor” (Tob 4:7)

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Video at the link...

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-06/spei-satelles-mission-launches-pope-s-writings-into-space.html
Spei Satelles mission launches Pope's writings into space
13 June 2023, 09:00

The satellite carrying the nanobook with the words of hope by Pope Francis given in St. Peter's Square in 2020, when humanity was facing the most acute phase of the pandemic, has departed from California's Vanderberg base. Once in orbit, the Cubesat made by the Polytechnic University of Turin, Italy, will broadcast excerpts of the Pope's messages of hope, which can be picked up by radio enthusiasts around the world.
By Michele Raviart

A rocket carrying a satellite with a tiny nanobook took off overnight, at 11:19 pm Italy time, from Vandenberg Space Base in California. It contains words of hope of Pope Francis promoting global unity in the face of the pandemic, words the Pope gave alone in a rain-soaked St. Peter's Square on 27 March 2020.

A team effort

Spei Satelles, "guardian of hope," is the name of the space mission, promoted by the Vatican's Dicastery for Communication. The Italian Space Agency has coordinated the project, Italy's National Research Center (CNR) made the nanobook, and the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Turin's Polytechnic University built the satellite, while students at Salesian University Institute of Venice created the logo for the initiative. The IDCGE of Buenos Aires also participated in the project, while the Digital Apostolate of Turin handled the pastoral and cultural coordination of the mission.
 

Photos at the link...
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-03/vatican-dicastery-communication-pope-francis-statio-orbis-spei-s.html
Vatican ‘counts down to launch’ Pope’s message of hope in Spei Satelles
27 March 2023, 13:26

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-06/pope-francis-recovery-proceeding-normally-14062023.html

Pope Francis likely to be discharged from Gemelli in the next few days
14 June 2023, 12:43

Doctors expect Pope Francis to be discharged from Rome's Gemelli Hospital in the days to come, as his clinical picture proceeds regularly, without complications, says the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, as he offers the latest, post-surgical update.
By Vatican News staff reporter

Pope Francis is expected to be discharged in the days to come, the Holy See Press Office says in its latest update on the Holy Father's recovery following his surgery last Wednesday.

In the statement, the Director of the Press Office, Matteo Bruni, said: "The Holy Father rested well during the night. The medical staff reports that the clinical course is proceeding regularly, without complications, and therefore they are planning his discharge for the next few days."

During the morning, Bruni noted, "the Holy Father devoted himself to his work activities. Before lunch, he went to the chapel of his private suite where he spent time in prayer and received the Eucharist."

Bruni has sent regular statements confirming the Pope's progress, consistently stating the medical team reports that the clinical picture is progressively improving and "the post-operative course is regular."
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-06/pope-a-famine-of-fraternity-exists-we-must-say-no-to-war.html

Pope: "A famine of fraternity" exists, we must say “no” to war
14 June 2023, 17:40

Archbishop Gallagher reads Pope Francis' address to the United Nations Security Council meeting in New York. The Pope underscores that "peace is possible if it is truly desired," and that "peace is God’s dream for humanity." He warns against "resentful and aggressive nationalisms" and encourages the application of the UN Charter with "transparency and sincerity."
By Salvatore Cernuzio

Pope Francis has addressed a message to the United Nations Security Council meeting in New York to reiterate his call for an end to violence, conflicts and building up weapons, saying they reflect the "famine of fraternity" marking today's world. He said, "the time has come to say an emphatic “no” to war, to state that wars are not just, but only peace is just." And "peace is possible if it is truly desired."

This clear message from Pope Francis came via Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, who read the Pope's message, as he is still recovering from surgery in hospital on 7 June at Rome's Gemelli Hospital.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/june.index.html
Speeches 2023 June
To the Security Council of the United Nations (14 June 2023)

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Update:  Pope Francis' recovery

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-06/pope-francis-to-be-discharged-from-gemelli-tomorrow.html
Pope Francis to be discharged from Gemelli tomorrow morning
15 June 2023, 13:08

Pope Francis is expected to be discharged from Rome's Gemelli Hospital tomorrow, Friday, morning, following his recent abdominal surgery to repair a hernia and remove internal scar tissues, the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, confirms.
By Vatican News staff reporter

Pope Francis will be discharged from Rome's Gemelli Hospital, tomorrow morning, the Holy See Press Office says in its latest update on the Holy Father's recovery on Thursday, following his 7 June surgery.

In this afternoon's statement, the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, says: “The medical staff reports that Pope Francis rested well during the night. The clinical course is proceeding normally. The results of the blood tests within the normal range."

Yesterday evening, he noted, the Holy Father dined together with those who have been assisting him since the day of his hospitalisation.

"This morning, as an expression of gratitude," the Press Office Director noted, "the Pope received the entire operating team – consisting of the medical staff, nurses, social and health workers, and auxiliary staff – who coordinated and performed the operation on 7 June."

"He then met Bishop Claudio Giuliodori, General Ecclesiastical Assistant of the Catholic University; and Father Nunzio Currao, Spiritual Assistant of the Polyclinic staff. Later he met with the representatives of the Board of Directors of the Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli, as well as the President, Carlo Fratta Pasini; and the Rector of the Catholic University, Prof. Franco Anelli, together with the governing bodies of the Polyclinic with the General Director, Prof. Marco Elefanti.
 

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-06/pope-francis-to-be-discharged-from-gemelli-hospital-update.html
Pope Francis makes return visit to children's cancer ward at Gemelli
15 June 2023, 11:55

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-06/pope-message-for-world-day-of-grandparents-and-elderly-2023.html
 
'Honour Grandparents': Pope's Message for World Day of Grandparents and Elderly
15 June 2023, 12:15

With a call to honour and never abandon grandparents, Pope Francis issues Message for 3rd World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly on 23 July. The 86-year-old Pope instituted the Day in 2021, to be held the fourth Sunday in July, close to the feast of Jesus' grandparents, Saints Joachim and Anne.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

"Let us honour them, neither depriving ourselves of their company nor depriving them of ours.  May we never allow the elderly to be cast aside!"

This is Pope Francis' heartfelt invitation in his Message for the Third World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, which the Church will celebrate on Sunday, 23 July. The text was published by the Vatican on Thursday.

The Church observes the World Day each year on the fourth Sunday in July, close to the feast of Jesus' grandparents, Saints Joachim and Anne. On the World Day, the Holy Father often presides over a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, and invites parishes, dioceses, associations and ecclesial communities from all over the world to celebrate the Day in their own pastoral context.

Pope Francis instituted this Day in 2021 since, he believes, grandparents are often forgotten, yet they "are the link between generations, passing on the experience of life and faith to the young."
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/nonni.index.html
Messages World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
Third World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, 2023: “His mercy is from age to age” (Lk 1:50)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-06/pope-francis-sends-telegram-condolences-migrants-tragedy-greece.html

Pope deeply dismayed by tragic loss of lives in the Mediterranean
15 June 2023, 14:00

Pope Francis sends a telegram of condolence to the Apostolic Nuncio in Greece, following what may be one of the worst migrant tragedies in Mediterranean waters.
By Francesca Merlo

Upon hearing of the tragedy involving a shipwreck carrying migrants off the coast of Greece, on Wednesday 14 June, Pope Francis sent a telegram of condolence addressed to Archbishop Jan Romeo Pawłowski, Apostolic Nuncio in Greece.

Initial reports said at least 78 people drowned and more than 100 were rescued. Survivors however say there could have been as many as 750 people on the boat, including many children. Observers warn it could be one of the biggest migrant tragedies ever.

In the telegram signed on his behalf by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Pope writes that he is "deeply dismayed to learn of the shipwreck off the coast of Greece with its devastating loss of life."

Offering heartfelt prayers "for the many migrants who have died, for their loved ones and for all those traumatised by this tragedy", the Holy Father invokes the Lord's gifts of "strength, perseverance and hope" upon the survivors and the emergency personnel providing them with care and shelter.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-06/pope-underscores-dignity-solidarity-subsidiarity-at-ilo.html

Pope underscores "dignity, solidarity, subsidiarity" at ILO summit
15 June 2023, 17:35

At the 2023 World of Work Summit hosted by the UN International Labour Organization, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, delivers the Pope's message in which he encourages everyone to set out a new path that supports principles of human dignity, solidarity, and subsidiarity in the world of work, applying social justice to support the marginalized.
By Vatican News staff reporter

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, delivered Pope Francis' message for the 2023 World of Work Summit hosted by the United Nations International Labour Organization in Geneva. Experts from around the world are gathered for the two-day summmit from 14-15 June discussing the theme, "Social Just for All."

Speaking on Wednesday 14 June, Cardinal Parolin praised the launch of the "Global Coalition for Social Justice" announced at the meeting calling it a "laudable initiative" that resonates with what the Catholic Church encourages the faithful to undertake in being responsible citizens. He said "the Holy See remains committed to supporting any efforts to promote social justice, especially in the workplace, by making her means available to the international community and, above all, by sharing the social doctrine of the Church."
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-06/buddhist-monks-thailand-meeting-interreligious-dialogue-pope.html

Thai Buddhists reaffirm friendship and fraternity with Catholic Church
15 June 2023, 12:12

A Buddhist Delegation from Thailand meets with representatives of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue in the Vatican. Having been due to meet with the Pope who is recovering from surgery but will be discharged tomorrow, the delegation leave him a letter of prayers and well-wishes.
By Francesca Merlo

One minute of silent reflection “to really bring everyone here and now” opened the meeting between a delegation of Buddhist monks, and their entourage, and representatives of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue at the Augustinianum on Thursday 15 June. 

The delegation had been due to meet with Pope Francis during their two-day visit to the Vatican, but due to the Holy Father’s ongoing recovery in Hospital, they wrote him a letter, signed by the Venerable Somdet Phra Mahathirachan, Abbot of the Royal Temple of Wat Phra Cetuphon, instead.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/254573/vatican-ganswein-to-return-to-home-diocese-from-july

Vatican: Gänswein to return to home diocese in July
By Hannah Brockhaus, AC Wimmer
Rome Newsroom, Jun 15, 2023 / 04:31 am

The Vatican confirmed Thursday that Pope Francis has asked Archbishop Georg Gänswein to return to Germany as of July 1.

The longtime private secretary of Pope Benedict XVI has been told to return to his home diocese of Freiburg in southwest Germany “for the time being,” according to a brief statement June 15.

The Vatican also said Gänswein’s role as prefect of the Papal Household concluded on Feb. 28. It did not indicate that he had been given any new assignment.

The news about the 66-year-old Gänswein was first reported by a German newspaper in early June.
 

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Update: Father Marko Rupnik

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/254574/breaking-rupnik-dismissed-from-jesuits
Rupnik dismissed from Jesuits
By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican City, Jun 15, 2023 / 05:22 am

The priest and artist Father Marko Rupnik, accused of the physical and psychological abuse of numerous religious sisters, was dismissed from the Jesuits this month, according to the religious order.

The Society of Jesus said in a June 15 statement Rupnik was expelled due to his “stubborn refusal to observe the vow of obedience.”

Rupnik had been asked to change communities and “accept a new mission,” the statement said. “Faced with Marko Rupnik’s repeated refusal to obey this mandate, we were unfortunately left with only one solution: dismissal from the Society of Jesus.”

According to canon law, Rupnik has 30 days to appeal the dismissal after receiving the decree on June 14. The decree was issued June 9, the Jesuits said.

Father Johan Verschueren, SJ, Rupnik’s superior whose name the statement was in, said no further comments will be made until after this period has concluded.
 

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/254572/trips-by-jesuit-priest-accused-of-abuse-are-transgression-of-restrictions-superior-says
Trips by Jesuit priest accused of abuse are transgression of restrictions, superior says
By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú
ACI Prensa Staff, Jun 14, 2023 / 16:00 pm
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-06/pope-francis-discharged-from-rome-s-gemelli-hospital.html
Pope Francis returns to Vatican after discharge from hospital
16 June 2023, 08:57

Pope Francis returns to the Vatican on Friday morning after he is discharged from the Gemelli Policlinic hospital, making his usual detour to pray before the Icon of the Blessed Mother at Santa Maria Maggiore, and paying a private visit to greet some nuns.
By Vatican News staff reporter

Pope Francis was released from Gemelli Hospital on Friday morning following his abdominal surgery on 7 June, and has returned to the Vatican.

In a brief statement Thursday, the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, informed the press that Pope Francis would be released from the hospital this morning.

As he left the hospital, Pope Francis greeted those present, pausing for a moment for some salutations.

The Pope's surgeon, Dr. Sergio Alfieri, said the Pope is well, even better than before.

The Pope, responding to some journalists' questions about how he is, said "I am still alive," and expressed his sorrow for the tragic deaths of migrants in Greece.

Following the Pope's departure from the hospital, he maintained his tradition of making a detour to Rome's Marian Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore to pause in prayer before the icon of the Blessed Mother, Salus Populi Romani.

The Holy Father had likewise stopped in the Basilica when returning to the Vatican, following his hospitalization for bronchitis on 1 April 2023, and after his colon surgery on 14 July 2021.

Prior to returning to the Vatican through the Perugino Gate, the Holy Father made a private visit to the religious sisters of the Maria Santissima Bambina Institute, near the Vatican, who are in Rome for their General Chapter.

Outside the Perugino Gate, the Pope greeted the law enforcement officers and thanked them for their service.
 

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/254586/photos-pope-francis-returns-to-vatican-after-surgery
PHOTOS: Pope Francis returns to Vatican after surgery
By Hannah Brockhaus
Rome Newsroom, Jun 16, 2023 / 03:10 am

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-06/pope-francis-sends-message-to-general-chapter-consolata.html

Pope to Consolata Missionaries: thank you for your missionary service
16 June 2023, 11:13

Pope Francis encourages the Consolata missionaries, gathered in the XIV General Chapter, to identify spiritual and pastoral paths to continue the mission with renewed enthusiasm.
By Vatican News

Pope Francis sent a message, dated 12 June, to the Consolata missionaries gathered for their XIV General Chapter from 22 May to 25 June.

The Holy Father thanks them for their missionary service to the Church, encourages them to continue their mission by identifying spiritual and pastoral paths and offers his blessing.

MESSAGE IN FULL:
 

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https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2023/06/russian-orthodox-prelate-visits-rome-as-popes-peace-envoy-plans-moscow-trip

Russian Orthodox prelate visits Rome as Pope’s peace envoy plans Moscow trip
By Elise Ann Allen
Jun 17, 2023

ROME – As the pontiff’s personal peace envoy for Ukraine is working towards a trip to Moscow, a high-ranking official in the Russian Orthodox Church visited Rome this week and met both Pope Francis and top Vatican diplomats.

On Thursday, the Russian Orthodox Patriarchate of Moscow’s Department for External Church Relations announced that Metropolitan Anthony Sevryuk of Volokolamsk was making an official visit to Rome “with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus.”

As head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s external relations department, Sevryuk is the second-highest ranking official in the Russian Orthodox Church and is widely believed to reflect the attitude and approach of Patriarch Kirill, including his support of the war in Ukraine.

Sevryuk’s visit to Rome comes amid ongoing negotiations to organize a second meeting between Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill, and while discussions are also underway to arrange the visit of pope’s personal peace envoy for the Ukraine war, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi of Bologna, to Moscow.