Pope Francis Launches Secret Mission to End War in Ukraine

The Vatican has confirmed plans for a peace mission to end fighting in Ukraine, surprising officials who claimed to know nothing about it.
Pope Francis met with a Russian Orthodox leader to discuss the secret mission aimed at returning Ukrainian children taken to Russia.
Ukraine's prime minister asked the pope for help bringing the children home.
The Vatican has tried engaging both sides, working on prisoner releases and offering to help return children Russia took.
Some supporters worry Francis is letting himself be used by leaders like Putin or the Russian Orthodox Church, though the pope remains dedicated to putting people first in geopolitical conflicts.