Russia
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Vatican, Russia discuss war in Ukraine after drone strike kills civilians in Kharkiv
Ministers of the Vatican and the Russian government shared a phone call on Friday in which the two discussed global... Read more
Marc Fogel’s family: Rosary and faith sustained them through his detainment in Russia
“At 9:30 at night we always prayed the rosary simultaneously, and I think it helped all of us, and I... Read more
Russia acknowledges Vatican role in prisoner exchange with Ukraine
In a Jan. 23 press conference, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s press director, Maria Zakharova, praised Pope Francis’ position on the... Read more
Russian Orthodox patriarch writes to pregnant women to encourage them to keep their babies
In his letters, Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill offers encouragement and congratulations to the new mothers, wishing them “many blessings from... Read more
Vatican talks to China in continued Russia-Ukraine peace efforts
The phone conversation was the most recent step in the Vatican’s continued diplomatic efforts to promote lasting peace in the... Read more
Vatican secretary of state meets Ukrainian president Zelenskyy
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin met with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday at the end of a... Read more
Pope Francis speaks with Zelenskyy about peace efforts in Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the pontiff expressed “his wishes of peace — just peace for all of us” during... Read more
Moscow Archdiocese urges return of memorial for bishop imprisoned by Stalin regime
Earlier this month, plaques dedicated to political and religious prisoners who died at Vladimir Central Prison under the communist regime... Read more
Ukraine Parliament advances bill seen to ban Russia-linked Orthodox church from country
The law is widely seen as targeting the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC). Read more
Nearly all ethnic Armenians have fled Nagorno-Karabakh
According to the Armenian government, 100,617 Nagorno-Karabakh refugees — out of a population of 120,000 – have been “forcibly displaced.” Read more
More Republicans hesitant on Ukraine funding as Zelenskyy talks to lawmakers, UN
A number of legislators are expressing reservations about sending more aid to Ukraine as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is making his... Read more
Vatican cardinal to make charity mission to Ukraine city hit by Russian drones
Cardinal Konrad Krajewski is in Ukraine this week to open the House of Refuge “in the name of Pope Francis,... Read more
Pope Francis meets with new Russian ambassador to the Vatican
The meeting comes days after papal envoy Cardinal Matteo Zuppi visited Beijing to discuss efforts to bring about peace in... Read more
Cardinal Zuppi meets with Chinese official to discuss peace in Ukraine
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi met with Chinese Special Representative for Eurasian Affairs Li Hui at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Read more
Pope Francis: ‘Mongolia is a symbol of religious freedom’
Pope Francis called Mongolia a “symbol of religious freedom” in his first speech in the Asian country sandwiched between China... Read more
Pope Francis encourages young Russian Catholics to be ‘bridge builders’
Without referring directly to Russia’s war in Ukraine, the Holy Father called on the youth to pursue peace “in the... Read more
Pope Francis calls Russia to renew Ukraine grain deal
“I appeal to my brothers, the authorities of the Russian Federation, that the Black Sea Initiative be restored and grain... Read more
24-hour read-a-thon highlights wrongful detention of WSJ journalist Evan Gerschkovich
Journalists, as well as family and friends, are gathering in D.C., London, and Singapore to highlight the unjust arrest of... Read more
Cardinal Zuppi meets with Biden to discuss humanitarian work in Ukraine
The pope’s special envoy met with President Joe Biden Tuesday evening to discuss the Vatican’s humanitarian efforts in war-torn Ukraine. Read more
Vatican diplomat: Pope Francis ‘stubbornly believes in peace’
Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher last week defended what he described as Pope Francis’ “strong and courageous” push for peace in... Read more
