Pope Francis’ peace mission, which he announced on April 30, is now underway. The Vatican confirmed that the Pope has entrusted Cardinal Matteo Zuppi with the task of conducting a mission that may contribute to reducing tensions in the conflict in Ukraine. The statement from the Vatican said that the time of the mission and its modalities are currently under study. Cardinal Zuppi has experience in attempts at conflict resolution, mostly in Africa. He played a key role in helping broker a peace agreement that ended the 17-year civil war in Mozambique in 1992. The peace mission comes at a crucial moment when an even more dangerous phase of the war appears to have begun. Russia has bombed Kyiv nine times this month, and Ukraine has started to launch a major offensive to recover lost territory. The pope is deeply concerned at the potential loss of life and greater destruction that would happen if the war continues. He is determined to do all he can to bring this war to an end, but his is an uphill struggle and a fight against time, inspired by faith alone and trust in the power of prayer.