Pope: "Secret Efforts Underway in Ukraine... Will Help Return Children Taken Away"

Indirect Criticism of Russian Behavior

Pope Francis said he is carrying out a 'secret' peace mission to end the war in Ukraine and pledged to help return Ukrainian children who were taken to Russia.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year, it is reported that about 20,000 children, including those who participated in 'summer camps' in Russian-occupied territories, have been taken to mainland Russia.

Pope Francis is being seen off as he departs Budapest, Hungary, on the 30th of last month (local time).
[Photo by EPA Yonhap News]

According to major foreign media such as the Associated Press, on the 30th of last month (local time), while returning to the Vatican after a three-day visit to Hungary, Pope Francis told reporters accompanying him on the plane that he is "carrying out a mission not disclosed to the public" and said, "I will reveal it when the time comes."

He added, "I am willing to do everything I must," and said, "Peace is always created through open channels. If communication channels are closed, peace can never be achieved."

Pope Francis introduced that during his visit to Hungary, he had discussions about peace in Ukraine with Prime Minister Viktor Orb?n and representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church in Hungary, adding, "Everyone is interested in the path to peace."

Along with this, the Pope said he would help return Ukrainian children forcibly relocated by the Russian government.

The Pope stated, "I will do everything possible to reunite families."

He mentioned, "Every humane gesture helps, but cruel gestures do not," indirectly criticizing Russia's behavior.

This is interpreted as a response to Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal's request to Pope Francis during an audience at the Vatican on the 27th of last month, asking for help to recover children forcibly taken to Russia.

Last month, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating that "Russia's illegal transfer of Ukrainian children constitutes a war crime." Russia denies the abduction allegations, claiming that the children were transferred for safety reasons.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.