Zuppi meets Russian prisoners in Ukraine, says 'pope is close to you'

Papal envoy for Ukraine Cardinal

Matteo Zuppi on Tuesday visited Russian prisoners in Ukraine and

told them that Pope Leo XIV was close to them in his thoughts

and prayers.

Zuppi visited the "Zakhid-1" camp in Lviv, Ukraine, where

prisoners of war who fought in the Russian army are being held,

reported Avvenire, he Italian bishop's organ.

Zuppi is chair of the Italian Bishops Council (CEI) as well as

archbishop of Bologna.

The high-ranking cleric said he "brings Pope Leo's closeness" to

those captured, Avvenire reported.

The CEI president, meeting with the inmates, said that "the Pope

prays for the war to end as soon as possible" and is committed

to ensuring "all of you can return home as soon as possible.

"Leo XIV sent me here to be a voice of hope among you and to say

that he is close to all those suffering because of the war."

Zuppi's mission to Ukraine lasts four days, from yesterday to

Thursday.

He will also travel to Kyiv, after today's stop in Lviv, to the

former Soviet prison that now houses those who wore Moscow's

uniform against Ukraine.

Security reasons, explains Avvenire, covering Cardinal Zuppi's

mission, prevent the exact number of prisoners held in the camp

from being known: press sources report that it is as high as

five hundred.

The cardinal meets dozens of them, from many regions of Russia

but also from various countries.

"Fifty-three nations are represented here today," those

responsible for the complex explain to him. To all of them,

Zuppi brings gifts from Leo XIV. Three gifts.

The first is a keychain with the Pope's coat of arms. "I hope

you can put the key to your house in it as soon as possible," is

the wish behind which lies the Vatican's commitment to the

repatriation of soldiers and civilians from both countries.

Then comes the image of the American pontiff: "Leo XIV sent me

here to be a voice of hope among you and to say that he is close

to all those suffering because of the war." And then there's the

reproduction of the Salus Populi Romani, the Marian icon kept in

the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. The detention

center also houses a small hospital.

"Many inmates have tuberculosis or joint problems from the

grueling life in the trenches. And many have shrapnel in their

arms or legs," doctors and nurses say. In the visiting room, he

meets with the first three inmates: one from North Korea, the

other two Russians.

Cardinal Zuppi is accompanied on his mission to Ukraine by the

Nuncio to Kyiv, Msgr. Visvaldas Kulbokas, and the Ukrainian

Ambassador to the Holy See, Andrii Yurash.

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