Pope Francis could travel to Kiev in August, his chief foreign policy adviser estimates. The exact timing depends on the Pope’s health. The 85-year-old recently canceled a trip to Congo and South Sudan planned for early July due to a knee injury.
Pope Francis could travel to the Ukrainian capital as early as this summer, Curial Archbishop Paul Gallagher said Friday evening. He is the Vatican’s secretary for relations with other states. The plans will be discussed with the papal staff at the end of July. Francis was invited by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko. He has been advocating for peace in the country for months and was open to a trip. “The Pope is convinced that if he could visit, it would also have positive effects,” Gallagher said.
Travel to Russia also possible
According to him, Francis is also ready to travel to Moscow. However, the question is when the stays in Russia and Ukraine will be possible. The Pope had canceled a trip to Congo and South Sudan planned for early July for health reasons. The Argentinian has a knee injury and recently had to use a wheelchair.
Still, Pope Francis is sticking to a trip to Canada in July and another to Kazakhstan in mid-September. There, the head of the Catholic Church plans to participate in the world interfaith congress in the capital. On this occasion, he was able to meet the Russian Orthodox Patriarch of Moscow, Kirill. He is considered a supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin. “If the Pope and Kirill fly to Kazakhstan, there will also be a meeting there,” the foreign policy adviser told Italian broadcaster Rai1.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
