Shevchuk invites Pope Leo to Ukraine

Pope Leo and Sviatoslav Shevchuk. Photo: Vatican News

On May 15, newly elected Pope Leo XIV received Sviatoslav Shevchuk in a private audience at the Apostolic Palace. The meeting took place in the library of the Apostolic Palace and was one of the first private audiences of the new pontificate, according to the UGCC website.

During the audience, Shevchuk invited the pontiff to visit Ukraine on an apostolic visit. “When Saint Pope John Paul II came to us, Ukrainians believed that communism would never return to our land. Today we believe that the Pope’s visit can help stop the war in Ukraine,” said the head of the UGCC.

He also emphasized that “millions of Ukrainians are waiting for the visit” of the pontiff.

Pope Leo XIV assured Shevchuk: “I stand with the Ukrainian people. The Holy See will continue to promote and create all the necessary conditions for dialogue and will accompany the Ukrainian people during this terrible time in history.”

During the meeting, the head of the UGCC handed the Pope lists of Ukrainians held in Russian captivity and those missing in action. Shevchuk noted the effectiveness of Vatican efforts in the release of prisoners: “When the Russian side receives these lists from the Vatican, we have evidence that the treatment of these prisoners even improves.”

At the end of the audience, the head of the UGCC presented the Pope with a symbolic painting titled Prayer-Requiem, depicting the pain of the Ukrainian people.

As previously reported by the UOJ, the Pope has said the Vatican is ready to provide a platform where enemies can look each other in the eye.

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