Russia and Vatican Discuss Ukraine Conflict and Humanitarian Cooperation in Moscow

Relations between Russia and the Vatican are gaining renewed diplomatic importance as the Holy See seeks to keep channels of dialogue with Moscow open amid the continuing conflict in Ukraine. Vatican envoy arrives in Moscow for talks with Russia Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, arrived in Moscow on August 24 for a visit focused on diplomacy, dialogue and humanitarian cooperation. His programme runs through August 28 and includes meetings with Russian officials, representatives of the Moscow Patriarchate and members of the Catholic community. Gallagher is scheduled to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on August 25 and presidential foreign-policy aide Yuri Ushakov on August 26. He will also hold talks with Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations.