Zelensky awards orders to two cardinals of the Vatican
Volodymyr Zelensky and Matteo Zuppi. Photo: VATICAN NEWS
On 28 December 2023, Volodymyr Zelensky awarded two high-ranking bishops of the Vatican with the Order of Merit, 2nd degree, VATICAN NEWS reports.
Zelensky awarded Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See, and Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, the Pope's special representative in Ukraine, for their "significant personal contribution to strengthening interstate cooperation, support of state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, popularisation of the Ukrainian state in the world".
That same day Zelensky discussed the "peace formula" with the Pope.
As earlier reported, the OP spokesperson called the Pope "pro-Russian" and ruled out the possibility of the Vatican's participation in the negotiation process with Russia.
Read also
U.S. bishops call for Church unity on Sunday of the Triumph of Orthodoxy
The Assembly of Bishops of the USA has issued an encyclical for the Triumph of Orthodoxy on Church unity, veneration of icons, and support for pan-Orthodox ministry.
OCU organizes harassment of businessman for aiding UOC
Hryshchuk called for boycotting the business of the entrepreneur who built a UOC church in the Rivne region.
Head of Lavra Reserve: I believe UOC monks will move to the OCU
Ostapenko said there are 140 UOC monks and novices on the territory of the Lower Lavra.
"Shield of Judah": Biblical name given to operations against Iran
A joint Israeli–US military operation against Iran has received a code name referencing the biblical forefather of the Jewish royal line.
In Syria, Islamic militants behead statues of Christ and Virgin Mary
Vandals beheaded statues of the Lord and the Mother of God at the entrance to the "Cave of the Virgin Mary" in the village of Al-Basiya near the coastal city of Banias in Syria.
Icon with particle of Gabriel Urgebadze's relics to be brought to Uzhhorod from Georgia
The holy icon, painted in Georgia, will be brought to the Holy Trinity Church of the Mukachevo Eparchy of the UOC.