[An article in Vzglyad]( https://vz.ru/world/2026/8/28/1446279.html) gives some analysis on the visit of Archbishop Gallagher to Moscow (and earlier to Kyiv). “These days, it’s hard to shake the impression that such specialized players as the Holy See’s Secretary for External Relations are like postmen carrying a particularly important dispatch,” the article says. While it adds the assumption that the Vatican as a state with limited functions, cannot become a leading figure in the negotiation process, the Pope, because of his moral authority, can facilitate the process.
It noted the Vatican’s focus on the “humanitarian issues “ and the need as Gallagher had said for “avoiding politicizing them.” At the same time, it says that Gallager’s responsibilities are far broader than those of Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, whom Francis had appointed as his special representative for Ukraine.
The article also notes that not only had the Vatican not imposed sanctions on Russia, but that it also opposes sanctions in general because of the effect they have on the humanitarian situation. The article also indicated Zuppi’s role in the exchange of prisoners, the return of bodies and the reunification of children. And while the Vatican suspended cooperation in archival work and in many scientific fields, Russian diplomatic sources have indicated to Vzglyad that the Vatican has also helped create channels of communication between Moscow and European countries, including “unfriendly” ones.
The article then goes on to downplay a major role for the Vatican in any peace negotiations, including providing a “venue” for a meeting between Zelensky and Putin, repeating the argument that it would be inappropriate for the Vatican to host a meeting between leaders of two Orthodox nations. It nevertheless underlines the importance of the Vatican intervention in this process. “While the Vatican may be an awkward venue for negotiations,” the article states, “The Roman Catholic Church itself is a global phenomenon. The Holy See exerts influence over much of the globe, and it would be short-sighted to ignore this factor.”
