In search of paths to peace

Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi travelled as Pope Francis’ envoy to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, where he was welcomed on Thursday, 14 September, by H.E. Mr Li Hui, Special Representative for Eurasian Affairs. According to a communiqué from the Holy See Press Office, their meeting took place in an “open and cordial atmosphere”, and “it was dedicated to the war in Ukraine and its dramatic consequences, emphasizing the need to combine efforts to encourage dialogue and find paths that lead to peace”. According to the statement, the problem of food security was also discussed, “with the hope that the export of grain can soon be guaranteed, especially to the countries most at risk”.

Ahead of Cardinal Zuppi’s mission to China, the Holy See Press Office explained that his visit “represents another step of the mission desired by the Pope to sustain humanitarian initiatives and to seek paths that may lead to a just peace”.

Cardinal Zuppi, who is the Archbishop of Bologna and President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, was sent to Beijing from 13 to 15 September, accompanied by an official of the Secretariat of State.