“The goal is to dialogue, to listen and to be listened to,” Archbishop Pierre told Italian state broadcaster Rai shortly before Zuppi’s visit to the US Congress.

“President Joe Biden has always been very attentive to the Holy Father,” added the nuncio, also stressing the importance of the humanitarian dimension of his mission.

Cardinal Zuppi was due to meet with Biden later on Tuesday.

On Monday the Vatican press office announced that Zuppi would travel to the US for a three-day mission.

Zuppi aims “to facilitate the exchange of ideas and opinions regarding the current tragic situation, as well as to provide support for humanitarian initiatives aimed at alleviating the suffering of the most vulnerable people, particularly children,” said the statement.

The mission comes on the heels of visits to Kyiv and Moscow as the papal envoy in June.

ANSA