The Holy See has renewed its appeal for the safe return of Ukrainian children separated from their families because of the ongoing war, emphasizing that this issue is a matter of justice and cannot be reduced to political calculations.
During an Emergency Special Session of the UN General Assembly, the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See reiterated its commitment to securing the return of these children, including through the ongoing humanitarian efforts of Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, the Pope’s special envoy for Ukraine. According to Vatican News, the delegation stated that the Holy See will continue its work “to ensure that Ukrainian children return to their families,” and also to seek “the release of prisoners of war.”
In its remarks to the UN, the Holy See stressed that the plight of displaced children must remain at the forefront of international concern. The delegation urged all parties “to continue working for the return of children to their families, which is an issue of justice and must not be overshadowed by political considerations,” according to Vatican News.
The statement took on a broader moral dimension as the Holy See reflected on the suffering caused by the prolonged conflict. “The protracted war in Ukraine,” the delegation warned, “with its profound and painful consequences, has resulted in the devastation of once-vibrant cities and the disruption of the lives of children, who should be growing up in a peaceful environment, not one afflicted by conflicts.” The Vatican’s representatives therefore appealed for “an immediate ceasefire, which will pave the way for sincere and courageous dialogue,” insisting that peace must be pursued “not at some undefined moment in the future, but right now.”
The delegation also emphasized the global responsibility to resist indifference. “With each passing day, the number of victims increases, the destruction widens and the hatred deepens. Every day without peace steals something from all of humanity,” the Holy See cautioned, according to Vatican News. Nations were urged to “reject passivity and provide tangible support for any initiative that could lead to genuine negotiations and lasting peace.”
During the same session, the UN General Assembly adopted a non-binding resolution calling on Russia for “the immediate, safe and unconditional return of all Ukrainian children who have been forcibly transferred or deported.” The resolution also urged Moscow “to cease, without delay, any further practice of forcible transfer, deportation, separation from families and legal guardians, change of personal status… and indoctrination of Ukrainian children,” according to Vatican News.
The General Assembly expressed “deep concern about the impact of the war on children,” particularly those separated from their families since 2014 through transfers within occupied territory or deportation.
For the Holy See, the suffering of children is a moral alarm calling the world to action. Its message at the United Nations reflects Pope Leo XIV’s consistent emphasis on humanitarian priorities, reconciliation, and a peace rooted in truth and justice—a peace the Vatican insists cannot wait.
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