Cardinal Zuppi, papal envoy, in Kyiv for peace talks (Vatican Press Office)

Cardinal Matteo Zuppi is making a two-day visit to Kyiv, June 4-5, as the personal representative of Pope Francis, hoping to lay the groundwork for a ceasefire in Ukraine.

The Vatican press office said that the purpose of his visit is “to listen in depth to the Ukrainian authorities about possible ways to achieve a just peace and to support gestures of humanity that will help ease tensions.”

Cardinal Zuppi is expected next to travel to Moscow for similar talks with Russian officials.