Pope Francis has entrusted Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, archbishop of Bologna and president of the Italian Bishops' Conference, with the task of leading a mission to help ease tensions in the conflict in Ukraine. 

Confirmation of the mission came Saturday evening, 20 May, when responding to  journalists' questions, the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, stated,  "I can confirm that Pope Francis has entrusted Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, archbishop of Bologna and president of the Italian Bishops' Conference, with the responsibility of leading a mission, in agreement with the Secretariat of State, that contributes to an easing of tensions in the Ukraine conflict, in the hopes that this can initiate paths of peace, something never abandoned by the Holy Father."