Painting of Bucha and flower of peace: Zelensky exchanges gifts with Pope
Pope Francis and President Zelensky. Photo: Radio Svoboda
On October 11, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Pope Francis during his visit to the Vatican, reports the Italian resource Ansa.it.
The meeting lasted 35 minutes, from 9:45 to 10:20, in the library of the Apostolic Palace. Afterward, there was a meeting with the Ukrainian delegation.
Pope Francis gave the Ukrainian president a bronze bas-relief depicting a blooming flower with the inscription: "Peace is a fragile flower." In return, Zelensky presented the pontiff with an oil painting titled "The Massacre in Bucha: The Story of Marichka."
“The talks in the Secretariat of State were dedicated to the state of the war and the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, as well as ways that could bring it to an end, leading to a just and stable peace in the country. In addition, a number of issues concerning religious life in the country were discussed," said the Vatican press release.
As reported by the UOJ, religious expert Liudmila Fylypovych suggested that the Pope might demand that Zelensky repeal Law 3894-IX, which concerns the Church ban.
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.