Albanian Archbishop discusses peace restoration in flashpoints with the Pope
Pope Leo and Archbishop Ioannis. Photo: Press Service of the Albanian Church
On October 31, 2025, Archbishop Ioannis of Albania met with Pope Leo in Rome. The historic meeting took place as a private audience following the Primate’s participation in the international gathering “Dare for Peace” (Osare la pace), organized by the Sant’Egidio Community.
The central topic of their conversation was the importance of restoring peace and ending wars that afflict the modern world. Pope Leo and Archbishop Ioannis discussed a range of shared concerns regarding the Church’s role in fostering peace amid ongoing global tensions.
Particular attention during the meeting was given to the youth, who, as both leaders highlighted, are not only the future but also the present of society. The spiritual leaders underscored the need to care for the younger generation in this era of upheaval.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Albanian Primate had discussed the situation in Ukraine with the Chairman of the ROC Department for External Church Relations.
Read also
Bulgarian Primate supports Patriarch Theophilos' initiative on Ukraine
The Primate of the Bulgarian Church called Patriarch Theophilos III's peacemaking initiative on the war in Ukraine a living testimony to the call for reconciliation.
Forum of volunteers and social workers held in Kharkiv Eparchy
Metropolitan Onuphry of Kharkiv and Bohodukhiv thanked the volunteers for their work and presented eparchial awards.
In Zakarpattia monastery, UOC hierarchs consecrate new chapel
At the St. Stephen's Monastery in Zakarpattia, a new Chapel of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos was consecrated.
In Kharkiv region, Azov military personnel set up pagan shrine
The initiator of the creation and arrangement of a pagan shrine in the Kharkiv region was the commander of the 96th separate battalion of the 3rd Army Corps.
Holy Cross Church of UOC in Kyiv damaged by shelling
The night drone and missile attack on Kyiv on September 27 damaged the shrine in Podil, an architectural monument of the 19th century.
UOC believers celebrate 200th anniversary of Holy Cross Church in Rakhiv
Metropolitan Mark of Khust performed the rite of consecration of the renovated frescoes of the two-hundred-year-old church in Rakhiv.