Archbishop Paul Gallagher emphasized that the conflict much be resolved through the political and diplomatic process and for the need to step up cooperation on humanitarian issues.
During his visit to Russia, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican secretary for relations with states and international organizations, reaffirmed the Holy Seeʼs position that the conflict with Ukraine “cannot be resolved by military means.”
The archbishop made the remarks during a press conference following his Aug. 25 meeting in Moscow with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
As the Vatican Secretariat of State reported Tuesday on X, the men discussed “topics of mutual interest and current international issues, with particular attention to the war in Ukraine and prospects for peace.”
In visita nella Federazione Russa, S.E. Mons. Paul R. Gallagher ha incontrato S.E. il Sig. Sergey Lavrov, Ministro degli Affari Esteri della Federazione Russa. Nel corso del colloquio sono stati affrontati temi di comune interesse e questioni di attualità internazionale, con… pic.twitter.com/nLFhNbxbrn
— Segreteria di Stato della Santa Sede (@TerzaLoggia) August 25, 2026
During the event, Archbishop Gallagher stated that “the Holy Seeʼs position is clear: The conflict cannot be resolved by military means,” adding that “it is essential to create the
