Podcast: Pope Francis hints at secret peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. Can he make a difference?

Colleen is back!

This week on Inside the Vatican, hosts Colleen Dulle (with baby William) and Ricardo da Silva join veteran Vatican correspondent Gerard O’Connell to discuss Pope Francis’ recent visit to Hungary.

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The pope used his public messages during the visit to highlight the plight of migrants and refugees, saying “Jesus is an open door.” Pope Francis has been at odds with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán over the prime minister’s restrictions on migration. Hungary has made exceptions to welcome Christian refugees in particular; the pope, in his homily at Mass, lamented “the doors we close toward those who are foreign or unlike us.”

Colleen and Gerry also discuss the pope’s words on Ukraine, which borders Hungary, during the apostolic visit. After Pope Francis hinted at a secret peace “mission” to Russia and Ukraine, both the Kremlin and Ukrainian officials denied knowing anything about such a mission. The Vatican has made headway in its humanitarian efforts during the war, but can it get both parties to the table for peace negotiations?

Links from the show

Pope Francis returns from weekend papal visit to Hungary

• Amid Hungary’s ‘no migrants’ policy, Pope Francis urges open doors and welcome
• Pope Francis praises Hungary’s protection of traditional values—and pushes the country to welcome migrants
• Pope Francis reflects on his visit to Hungary and building bridges of peace
• Pope Francis will travel to Hungary at the end of April
• Pope Francis meets Hungary’s Victor Orban—with Ukraine war as the backdrop
• Pope Francis in Budapest calls on the Hungarian Catholic Church and its pastors ‘to be builders of bridges and promoters of dialogue’
• What to expect from Pope Francis’ trip to Hungary and Slovakia
• American conservatives have fallen in love with Hungary. Pope Francis is less impressed.
• Lesson from Hungary: Anti-Catholicism is not a good response to anti-L.G.B.T.Q. law

Pope Francis’ secret peace mission

• Pope Francis: ‘When it’s public I’ll talk about it’—hints at secret talks to end Ukraine-Russia war
• In Hungary, Pope Francis meets with Ukrainian refugees and Russian church official
• At the Vatican, Ukrainian prime minister asks Pope Francis for help returning children kidnapped by Russia