Pope Leo XIV held a meeting at the Vatican with Bishop Vitaliy Kryvytsky of the Kyiv-Zhytomyr Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in Ukraine, a member of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (VRCiRO). Together they discussed current events in Ukraine and the search for paths to peace.
The Head of the Catholic Church assured that he would continue praying for Ukraine and would do everything possible to bring the war to an end as soon as possible. According to Bishop Kryvytsky, the Pope understands the situation well and is ready to support peaceful efforts.
The Vatican Meeting and the Stance on Peace
“A very warm and inspiring meeting with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. We had half an hour to talk about Ukraine, the war, and the path to a just peace. The Pope knows our situation well, is deeply moved by it, and is seeking ways to resolve it”
– Bishop Vitaliy Kryvytsky
During the audience the bishop reminded the Pope of the invitation to visit Ukraine, sent by the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (VRCiRO).
“I thanked the Pope for his prayers – both personal ones and those to which he calls on the whole Body of Christ. I asked him to continue praying for Ukraine and to urge others to do so, especially on the eve of another difficult winter”
– Bishop Vitaliy Kryvytsky
As a sign of gratitude, he gave the Pope an icon created with the participation of Ukrainian children – pupils of the Saint Martin de Porres Center in Fastiv. According to Bishop Kryvytsky, the Pope gladly accepted the gift and all the invitations.
“The Pope gladly accepted this gift, along with all the invitations”
– Bishop Vitaliy Kryvytsky
The Pope assured that he would continue praying and doing everything possible for the horrors of war to end as soon as possible.
“The Pope assured that he would continue to pray and do everything possible for the horrors of war to end as soon as possible”
– Bishop Vitaliy Kryvytsky
“to preserve a position that, no matter how hard it may be, is neither on one side nor on the other, but truly neutral”
– Pontiff
The meeting underscores the joint efforts of church leaders in the pursuit of peace and in supporting Ukraine during these difficult times.