Expert: Pope's visit to Ukraine may impact recognition of OCU by Catholics

Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew. Photo: day.kyiv.ua

Should the head of the Roman Catholic Church (RCC), Pope Francis, arrive in Ukraine to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Independence and meet with Patriarch Bartholomew in Kyiv, this may result in the recognition of the OCU by Catholics around the world. Ruslan Bortnik, a political expert, Director of the Ukrainian Institute of Politics, said this in a comment to the UOJ.

The Pope's visit to Kyiv is beneficial for Vladimir Zelensky, who would like to emphasize the importance of the anniversary of Ukraine's Independence by the status of the guests. “Zelensky is obviously going to use the name and status of the pope during the celebration of the 30th anniversary of Independence, since the latter has an authority being not the same as before, but still authority. With this figure involved, one can speak of the recognition of the OCU by the Catholic world,” the expert said.

Bortnik believes that the meeting of the head of the Vatican with the Patriarch of Constantinople will push the UGCC and Ukrainian schismatics closer together. It will also strengthen the position of Greek Catholics and Catholics in Ukraine. “The arrival of Pope Francis will push for the processes between the UGCC and the OCU. Most likely, the UGCC and the RCC in Ukraine will strengthen,” the political expert said.

As reported by the UOJ, the Pope's visit to Ukraine may affect the rapprochement between the OCU and the UGCC, political analyst Andrei Zolotarev believes. 

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