Ukrainian trust in Vatican low as Zuppi begins peace mission

Local Catholics report trust the Vatican and Pope Francis has cratered in Ukraine, but there is still work they could do

On the eve of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, both Ukrainian politicians and local Catholics asked the Vatican to intervene as a mediator between Kyiv and Moscow and made urgent invitations for a visit by Pope Francis to Ukraine, which, many believed, could have helped forestall the war.

But from its first statements after the invasion began on …