Pope urges Ukrainian authorities not to ban the Church

Volodymyr Zelensky and Pope Francis. Photo: hvylya.net

Pope Francis, commenting on the Ukrainian law that leads to the banning of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) in Ukraine called on authorities "not to ban any Christian church directly or indirectly", reports Vatican News.

In his speech, the Roman Pontiff expressed concern about the adoption of the law banning the UOC. "Let no Christian Church be abolished directly or indirectly," he stated.

The Pope assured that he continues "to follow with sorrow the fighting in Ukraine and the Russian Federation".

Pope Francis emphasized that, "in thinking about the laws recently adopted in Ukraine", he fears for the freedom of those who pray, "because those who truly pray, always pray for all".

"A person does not commit evil because of praying. If someone commits evil against his people, he will be guilty for it, but he cannot have committed evil because he prayed. So, let those who want to pray be allowed to pray in what they consider their Church," said Pope Francis in his statement.

"Please, let no Christian Church be abolished directly or indirectly. Churches are not to be touched!" the Pontiff emphasized.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that on August 24, 2024, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia addressed the Primates of the Local Orthodox Churches, religious leaders and representatives of international organizations with messages expressing deep concern over Law 8371 adopted by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

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