VATICAN CITY (Catholic Herald) — The Vatican’s foreign minister concluded his visit to Russia on Friday, marking a key moment of engagement by the Holy See in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with questions now hovering over the lasting impact of the trip.
From August 24 to 28, Archbishop Richard Gallagher conducted a visit to Moscow, with his schedule including politicians, ecumenical leaders and local Catholics. Gallagher serves as the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organization, and as such his visit to Moscow bore particular significance.
The English archbishop has not set foot in the country since the tail-end of 2021, meaning that this was his first visit in Russia since the outbreak of war with Ukraine in February 2022.
Gallagher does not cut an imposing figure. One of the few Vatican officials sporting a beard, the diplomat conveys a quiet confidence rather than a domineering presence. But that did not ring true for his speech to the assembled media, following the highly anticipated meeting with Russia’s foreign minister Sergey Lavrov. His prepared text was vivacious and firm.
The rest of this correspondent’s report, originally published on the Catholic Herald, is found at this link.