A grey and drizzly Rome was under an intense security lockdown on Saturday as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky came to town for the day. The Italian government deployed some 1,500 security agents, stationed snipers on rooftops, and enforced a no-fly zone for the visit of the president whose country continues to fight the troops from Read more
When Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky went to the Vatican last week, the Pope stole a march on him. Francis went to the door to greet him rather than wait for formal introductions. They spent 40 minutes speaking privately in their first face-to-face meeting since the war began. They discussed “the humanitarian and political situation in Read more
The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin confirmed Thursday that there is a Vatican peace plan to try to end Russia’s war in Ukraine. He expressed surprise that officials in both countries claimed ignorance of the Vatican’s plan. “Based on my knowledge, they know, but you know how it is, in bureaucracies, it could Read more
It is madness, said Pope Francis when he heard Russia was threatening to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine. Last week Russian President Vladimir Putin warned the West he is not bluffing about using the weapons of mass destruction. He ordered Russia’s first mobilisation since World War Two and backed a plan to annex swathes of Read more