Russia damaged the Vatican embassy amid its bombings of Ukraine.

The Vatican embassy in Kiev sustained minor damage during a Russian airstrike on the Ukrainian capital in the early hours of Thursday, according to a statement released by the diplomatic mission itself.

The statement indicated that the main building of the Apostolic Nunciature, as well as some service areas, were affected by the bombing. The term "Apostolic Nunciature" is the official designation the Catholic Church uses to refer to its embassies abroad.

The apostolic nuncio, Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, told Vatican News—the Vatican's official media outlet—that he was a direct witness to the attack. In the interview, the archbishop detailed that several drones flew over the embassy area and he heard multiple explosions during the night.

The consequences of the attack

According to Kulbokas, the attack caused damage to the building's roof and the garage. The clergyman stated that they collected approximately ten large fragments of the device and estimated that it was a drone, not a missile. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the embassy staff.

"It's shocking to see explosions happening so close," Kulbokas remarked. The incident occurred while an international conference was being held in Rome on three years of war in Ukraine.

At this event, significant commitments of economic aid in favor of the population of Kiev were announced, with a value of billions of dollars.

The Vatican offers to mediate for peace

One day before the attack, Pope Leo XIV met at the Vatican with the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky. During this meeting, the pontiff expressed the Holy See's willingness to host possible peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.

This stance aligns with the Vatican's diplomatic efforts to facilitate dialogue and reconciliation in conflict zones as part of its mission to promote global peace.

The Vatican keeps formal diplomatic relations with nearly 180 countries and has active embassies in many capitals around the world.

Its diplomatic representatives, known as nuncios, are recognized for their commitment to the mission and their permanence in assigned posts, even in contexts of war. They rarely leave their posts, remaining as a symbol of spiritual presence in their communities.

The recent attack highlights the growing vulnerability and dangers faced by foreign diplomatic missions in Ukraine.

Even so, the Holy See keeps its commitment to remain in the country and to support both the Ukrainian population and international efforts to achieve a peaceful solution to the conflict.