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Archbishop Gallagher begins visit to Russia

Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Holy See's Secretary for Relations with States, concluded his five-day visit to Russia on August 28. The trip included talks with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Russian President's aide Yury Ushakov, focusing on international issues and the Ukraine conflict. The Holy See described the visit as a demonstration of its commitment to dialogue and pursuit of peace.

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What changed

Archbishop Gallagher completed his visit to Russia, providing insights into the discussions held during the trip.

Live updates

  1. Archbishop Gallagher ends Russia visit, seeks path to peace

    Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Holy See's Secretary for Relations with States, concluded his five-day visit to Russia on August 28. The trip included talks with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Russian President's aide Yury Ushakov, focusing on international issues and the Ukraine conflict. The Holy See described the visit as a demonstration of its commitment to dialogue and pursuit of peace.

    Why it matters

    The visit comes amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and Russia's involvement in the Ukraine conflict. The Holy See has been actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful resolution. Gallagher's trip is part of these efforts, aiming to strengthen dialogue between the Vatican and Russia.

    What is confirmed

    • The Holy See attaches great importance to the trip to Moscow by Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher.
    • The journey is indicative of the desire for the dialogue that the Holy See wants to pursue.
    • Gallagher's visit underscores the commitment and the importance that we have attributed to this journey, which was undertaken on behalf of the Holy See and with the blessing of the Pope.
    • The Holy See pursues a diplomacy that believes in peace.

    What to watch next

    • Further statements from the Vatican on the outcomes of Gallagher's visit
    • Reaction from other countries or international organizations regarding Gallagher's visit
    • Upcoming diplomatic engagements between the Holy See and Russia
    Sources used for this update (6)
    1. thecatholicherald.com — Gallagher’s Russia trip is over, what impact will it have?
    2. asiatimes.com — Holy See seeks a path to peace in Moscow
    3. www.vaticannews.va — Archbishop Gallagher: The Holy See pursues a diplomacy that believes in peace
    4. tass.com — Top Vatican diplomat says his visit to Moscow underscores commitment to dialogue
    5. www.europesays.com — Archbishop Gallagher: The Holy See pursues a diplomacy that believes in peace
    6. thecatholicherald.com — Archbishop Gallagher reflects on ‘difficult dialogue’ with Lavrov
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  2. Vatican Secretary Paul Richard Gallagher expands diplomatic talks in Moscow

    Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher is conducting a five-day working visit to Russia that began Monday, August 25. After initial talks with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov regarding the war in Ukraine, Gallagher met one-on-one with Yury Ushakov, the Russian president's aide for international affairs, on Thursday to discuss topical international issues. The mission also included a visit to the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. The Russian side described current relations between the Vatican and Russia as friendly, pragmatic, and trustworthy despite geopolitical shifts.

    Why it matters

    This trip marks the first face-to-face discussions between the Vatican and Moscow since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The Holy See is attempting to use diplomatic channels to urge a political settlement to the conflict.

    What is confirmed

    • Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher is on a five-day working visit to Russia that started on Monday.
    • Gallagher met with Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov on Thursday to discuss international issues.
    • Gallagher visited the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour on the second day of his mission.
    • The Vatican continues to maintain ecclesiastical ties with the Moscow Patriarchate.

    What to watch next

    • Official statements regarding the outcome of the talks with Yury Ushakov
    • Further diplomatic meetings before the conclusion of the five-day visit
    Sources used for this update (5)
    1. www.vaticannews.va — Archbishop Gallagher visits Moscow’s Orthodox Cathedral
    2. ua.news — Pope Leo XIV is once again trying to reestablish contact with Russia
    3. tass.com — Vatican official discusses international issues with Russian presidential aide — Holy See
    4. tass.com — Vatican official underscores importance of mutual understanding for living in peace
    5. www.ilfoglio.it — On the war in Ukraine, Leone puts the Secretariat of State back in the spotlight with its time-honoured diplomacy
    confidence 100%

  3. Vatican Foreign Minister Demands End to Ukraine War During Moscow Visit

    Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, visited Moscow on August 25, 2026, to urge an end to the war in Ukraine. Meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Gallagher stated that the conflict cannot be resolved by military means and must be settled through political and diplomatic processes. He called for immediate negotiations supported by the international community. This visit represents the first face-to-face talks between the Vatican and Moscow since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.

    Why it matters

    The visit is part of a broader peace push by Pope Leo XIV to maintain communication channels with the Kremlin. It occurs as other European leaders are visiting Kyiv. While the Vatican seeks a diplomatic resolution, Gallagher was not scheduled to meet with President Vladimir Putin.

    What is confirmed

    • Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher visited Moscow on August 25, 2026.
    • Gallagher met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
    • This visit marks the first face-to-face talks between the Vatican and Moscow since the 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
    • Gallagher stated that the war in Ukraine must end and cannot be resolved by military means.
    • Gallagher is the Vatican Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations.

    Still unconfirmed

    • Archbishop Gallagher is scheduled to meet with an adviser to Vladimir Putin.

    What to watch next

    • Confirmation of any meetings between Vatican officials and President Vladimir Putin
    • Official Russian responses to the demand for immediate peace negotiations
    • Further diplomatic missions from the Vatican to Kyiv or other conflict zones
    Sources used for this update (20)
    1. Vatican News — Archbishop Gallagher begins visit to Russia
    2. Crux | Taking the Catholic Pulse — Vatican’s ‘Foreign Minister’ in Russia for talks
    3. infovaticana — We start with Moscow, the "infinite gratitude" of Communion and Liberation, Zuppi in Rimini, Saint Michael banned, the 'migrant' piety, the priest gets married, liberation theology, the Company and Paul IV.
    4. ABC NEWS NEPAL — Pope Leo XIV Intensifies Ukraine Peace Push with Envoy Visit to Moscow
    5. The Catholic Herald — The Week Ahead: Vatican diplomacy, Taybeh and key Catholic stories to watch
    6. OSV News — Vatican’s top diplomat begins visit to Russia as European leaders flock to Kyiv
    7. Euronews.com — Keeping communication channels open: Vatican's top diplomat visits Moscow
    8. Reuters — Vatican foreign minister, in Moscow, says Ukraine war must end
    9. Vatican News — Archbishop Gallagher in Moscow: Diplomacy and dialogue in pursuit of peace
    10. National Catholic Register — High-Ranking Vatican Official to Meet With Putin’s Adviser in Russia
    11. The Moscow Times — Senior Vatican Official Calls for Peace in Ukraine After Meeting With Lavrov in Moscow
    12. www.americamagazine.org — Vatican’s top diplomat begins visit to Russia as European leaders flock to Ukraine
    confidence 95%