Papal Nuncio in Kyiv: War is from the devil, it makes no sense

Visvaldas Kulbokas. Photo: Vatican News

Apostolic Nuncio in Kyiv, Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, gave an interview to Vatican media marking 1,000 days since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces.

Kulbokas noted that the war in Ukraine shows no signs of abating, with the number of casualties increasing year after year.

In his view, disappointment among Ukrainians is growing, and it is difficult to answer the question about the purpose of prolonging the war – “and I ask it myself,” said the Papal Nuncio. “For me personally, the prolongation of the war has allowed me to better understand the illusions we often trust and the fragility of those illusions. However, from a human perspective, war makes no sense.”

Archbishop Visvaldas emphasized one aspect of the Church's role: its “service to conscience,” pointing out that “there are more and less humane ways of responding to war.”

“Of course, the Church can never coerce, but it always strives to maintain a minimum of connections with everyone, seeking ways – perhaps indirect but comprehensible – to appeal to conscience, to call for the urgent need to end the war,” he said.

At the conclusion of the interview, the Vatican diplomat stated: “War is from the devil because it seeks to destroy trust in humanity, threatening to undermine faith in all international structures and alliances between countries.”

As previously reported by the UOJ, the Vatican Secretary of State outlined what is needed for a ceasefire in Ukraine.

Read also

Danish media: Odd, but Ukrainians and Russians here celebrated Pascha together

In Copenhagen, Ukrainians and Russians celebrated Pascha together in a ROCOR church.

UOC volunteers deliver 550 Easter cakes to needy residents of frontline areas

Volunteers from the UOC’s Parasolka movement delivered Easter aid to residents of frontline territories, as well as to the homeless, displaced persons, pensioners, and children in boarding institutions.

Clergy of Serbian and Greek Churches celebrate Divine Liturgy in Belgrade

A joint Divine Liturgy of clergy from the Serbian and Greek Churches was celebrated in the Serbian capital with the participation of pilgrims from Greece, underscoring the unity of the faith.

Wonderworking Theotokos icon honored at Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos

At Vatopedi on Mount Athos, on the feast of the Life-Giving Spring icon, the monks and clergy celebrated the Divine Liturgy and held a procession with the monastery’s wonderworking icon of the Mother of God.

St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral in Kyiv switches to new calendar

Starting May 1, services at St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral will be celebrated according to the new calendar.

Thousands take part in March for Life in Warsaw to defend family and faith

Polish President Karol Nawrocki joined the mass procession held to mark the 1,060th anniversary of the Baptism of Poland.