World Catholic Leader Pope Francis went to the Russian embassy to the Holy See on Friday (24/2) to convey his concerns over Russia's invasion of Ukraine to the Moscow ambassador. The Pope's actions deviated from the usual, and were unprecedented from diplomatic protocol.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said Pope Francis spent about 30 minutes at the Russian embassy, which is close to the Vatican.
"He left to express his concern over the war," Bruni told Reuters. Bruni would not comment on reports that the 85-year-old pope had offered to mediate between the two countries.
It is believed to be the first time a pope has gone to an embassy to speak with an ambassador in a time of conflict. Foreign envoys are usually summoned by the Vatican Secretary of State or meet with the pope at the Apostolic Palace.
In an interview with Reuters on February 14, before the invasion, Ukraine's ambassador to the Vatican, Andriy Yurash, said Kyiv would be open to mediation of the conflict by the Vatican.
In a statement on Thursday, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said the Holy See hopes that those who hold the fate of the world in their hands will have "a glimmer of conscience".
World leaders have accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of a flagrant violation of international law by launching the biggest attack by one country against another in Europe since World War Two.
