Moscow: The Vatican has renewed its call for an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine, saying the conflict cannot be settled through military action and that a political and diplomatic process is urgently needed.
Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Holy See Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, made the appeal during a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Tuesday, August 25. The meeting focused on international issues, relations between Russia and the Holy See, the situation of the Catholic community in Russia and humanitarian efforts linked to the war in Ukraine.
The meeting lasted more than an hour and was attended by the Apostolic Nuncio to Russia, Archbishop Giovanni d’Aniello. Both sides agreed on the importance of keeping communication open and continuing dialogue between Moscow and the Holy See.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Archbishop Gallagher repeated Pope Leo XIV’s appeal for an end to the fighting and for genuine negotiations supported by the international community.
He said the Holy See’s position was clear. The conflict could not be resolved through military means. Instead, Russia and Ukraine need to create the conditions for a political and diplomatic process that can lead to a lasting peace.
The Vatican official also urged both sides to show openness and goodwill. He stressed the need to respect international and humanitarian law, especially in relation to civilians, damaged infrastructure, wounded people and prisoners of war.
“This war must end,” Archbishop Gallagher said, stressing the growing human cost of the conflict.
The war has continued to cause deaths, injuries and destruction, while millions of people have been affected by the continuing violence. The Archbishop said it was urgent to stop the fighting and begin thinking about how Russia and Ukraine could build future relations without remaining trapped by past grievances.
He also warned against allowing hatred to continue shaping relations between the two sides.
Lavrov described the meeting as very useful and welcomed the Holy See’s willingness to maintain dialogue with Russia. He also expressed support for greater cooperation on humanitarian matters connected with the conflict.
Humanitarian issues were a central part of the discussions. Archbishop Gallagher said that even limited progress in humanitarian cooperation could help reduce suffering and create a minimum level of trust between the parties.
The meeting also recalled the importance of Cardinal Matteo Zuppi’s planned mission to Russia. The Cardinal has been involved in the Vatican’s efforts to support humanitarian initiatives and encourage dialogue related to the war.
The Holy See has said it remains ready to use its position to help create opportunities for communication between the parties. Vatican officials have repeatedly presented the Church as a possible bridge between people and communities affected by the conflict.
Archbishop Gallagher also highlighted the role of churches and local religious communities in helping vulnerable people. He said these communities can contribute to reconciliation by supporting people who are suffering and by encouraging a culture of peace.
During the Moscow discussions, he also raised the situation of the Catholic Church in Russia. Particular attention was given to the pastoral needs of Catholics and the charitable work carried out by Catholic religious and ecclesial communities.
Later on Tuesday, Archbishop Gallagher met Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, head of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate.
Their discussion covered matters of common interest and the wider regional situation. Metropolitan Anthony welcomed the continued contacts between the Moscow Patriarchate, the Holy See and the Catholic Church.
The meetings in Moscow underline the Vatican’s continuing effort to keep diplomatic and religious channels open at a time when relations between Russia and many Western countries remain deeply strained.
For the Holy See, the immediate priority is to reduce human suffering and create space for dialogue. While major political differences remain between Russia and Ukraine, the Vatican believes that humanitarian cooperation can provide an important starting point for rebuilding trust.
Archbishop Gallagher’s message in Moscow was therefore both diplomatic and direct. The Vatican is calling for the fighting to stop, for international humanitarian rules to be respected and for serious negotiations to begin.
The Holy See continues to present dialogue, humanitarian assistance and reconciliation as possible steps toward peace, while stressing that the suffering caused by the war cannot be allowed to continue indefinitely.