Pope Leo: Centuries-long loyalty of Ukrainians to Rome is sealed in blood

Pope Leo and Sviatoslav Shevchuk. Photo: Vatican Press Service

On 28 June 2025, a meeting took place in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican between Pope Leo XIV and Ukrainian pilgrims of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) as part of the Jubilee Year.

Speaking before the UGCC faithful who had come to Rome under the motto “Pilgrims of Hope,” the Pontiff mentioned the Ukrainian people’s centuries-long loyalty to the Catholic Church.

“Many of you have come here from your beautiful land, rich in Christian faith, fertile with the Gospel witness of many saints, and watered with the blood of many martyrs who, over the centuries, at the cost of their own lives, sealed their fidelity to the Apostle Peter and his successors,” said Pope Leo XIV.

In his address, the Pontiff said he shared the pain “for the prisoners and victims of this senseless war.”

Addressing the UGCC faithful, he noted that “the faith of the Ukrainian people is now being put to a severe test.” The Pope emphasized that “believing does not mean already having all the answers, but trusting that God is with us and grants us His grace, that He will have the final word, and that life will triumph over death.”

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Pope Leo called the war in Ukraine "senseless".

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