The Vatican's equivalent of foreign minister, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, has called for an end to Russia's war against Ukraine at a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on Tuesday.
"Let us be clear: This war must end," Gallagher said, standing alongside Lavrov.
"The Holy See continues to follow with deep concern the war in Ukraine and deplores the sufferings of the innocent," Gallagher said. "After more than four years of hostilities, the conflict continues to expand, the number of victims continues to grow, many families remain divided, and the material and psychological consequences of the conflict affect millions of people in Ukraine and Russia."
"The conflict cannot be resolved by militarily means: It is essential to create the conditions for a serious political and diplomatic process," Gallagher said.
The cleric called for the start of "authentic negotiations with the support of the international community" and stressed that Pope Leo XIV and the Vatican were ready to offer their services.
He appealed to Kiev and Moscow to show openness to dialogue, warning that the longer the conflict lasted, the harder it would be to reach a solution and a reconciliation. The suffering of millions had to stop, he said.
Gallagher and Lavrov said that despite differing views on many issues, there were also areas of common ground.
Lavrov said Moscow was ready to resume political consultations with Ukraine at deputy foreign minister level.
He praised the Vatican's position on the Ukraine conflict as balanced and said Moscow also valued the Holy See's role in resolving some difficult humanitarian issues.