The Russian Embassy to the Holy See is located on Via della Conciliazione, the broad street leading to St. Peter’s Basilica.
Speaking after Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said that wisdom was needed to save the world “from the folly and horrors of war.”
“The tragic scenes which everyone feared are unfortunately becoming reality,” Parolin said in a video statement.
On Feb. 23, a day before Russia invaded Ukraine, Pope Francis called for a day of prayer and fasting for peace on Ash Wednesday, March 2.
Expressing great sadness at the worsening situation in Ukraine, Pope Francis asked world leaders to “make a serious examination of conscience before God.”