"Pope's visit to Moscow as peace envoy for war in Ukraine"

Pope Francis' special envoy for war peace in Ukraine is visiting Moscow, Russia, local media reported.

Italian news agency Ansa reported citing sources that Cardinal Matteo Zuppi is scheduled to arrive in Moscow on the 14th local time.

Cardinal Zuppi is visiting Moscow to carry out a newly-appointed mission by the pope over the war in Ukraine, local media said.

Russia's state news agency also reported that a meeting with Archbishop Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, could take place, reporting on Cardinal Zupi's visit.

In May last year, Pope Francis appointed Cardinal Zuppi as his special envoy for peace in Ukraine and Russia.

Cardinal Zuppi, the Italian archdiocese of Bologna and chairman of the Italian bishops' conference, visited Kyiv, Ukraine, Moscow, Russia, and Washington, USA, in June-July of the same year.

Local media predicted that he appeared to have visited Moscow to carry out an arbitration mission regarding the exchange of prisoners between the two countries.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the pope at the Vatican on the 11th and asked for help to free Ukrainian prisoners held in Russia.