On Monday, August 21st, Pope Francis received Mark Milley, the US Chief of Staff, at the Vatican. During this meeting, the two leaders discussed the situation in Ukraine as well as other topics of common interest.
The Vatican witnessed an unusual encounter between Pope Francis and the US Chief of Staff, Mark Milley, on Monday, August 21st. At the heart of their discussions, the war in Ukraine was a central topic. The Pope, known for his advocacy for peace, expressed his concern about the ongoing human tragedy in the region.
According to statements made by Mark Milley to journalists aboard a US military aircraft after their meeting, Pope Francis was “obviously very concerned about the hundreds of thousands of people who have been killed or wounded and the innocent civilian lives that have been taken”. The Chief of Staff emphasized that the Pope had shown a particular interest in his perspective on the situation and the evolution of the war in Ukraine.
This is not Pope Francis’ first initiative in favor of peace in the region. His special envoy for peace had visited both Kiev and Moscow in June, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
In addition to the war in Ukraine, the discussions between the Pope and Mark Milley also addressed other topics of mutual interest. The American general, who is a practicing Catholic, indicated that he and the Pope had “talked a lot about Africa,” suggesting a willingness to collaborate on global issues.
