UA Foreign Ministry comments on Pope’s intention to visit Kyiv and Moscow

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleh Nikolenko has positively assessed Pope Francis's desire to visit Ukraine, reports the "European Pravda". According to the spokesperson, the visit of the head of the Vatican will help restore peace in the Ukrainian land.

"We believe that this visit will strengthen the pontiff's role in restoring peace in the Ukrainian land as well as support the spirit of Ukrainians who are experiencing untold suffering due to Russian aggression," Nikolenko said and once again invited the pontiff to visit Ukraine. "We reaffirm the invitation to Pope Francis to visit our country and urge him to continue praying for the Ukrainian people," the Foreign Ministry spokesman said. He also called for "deepening ties with those who sincerely aspire to do so".

According to Nikolenko, Moscow is ignoring Francis's willingness to come to Russia, and the spokesman considers this to be indicative. "This is yet another indication that the Russian regime seeks war rather than peace," the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry official said.

As reported, the Pope spoke about a cordial and open dialogue with Russia.

Read also

Priests and laity of Rivne Eparchy donate blood for children with cancer

In Rivne, the UOC clergy and laity have donated blood for children undergoing treatment for cancer.

Kyiv seminary students meet with People’s Artist Larisa Kadochnikova

Students of Kyiv’s theological schools spoke with the legend of Ukrainian cinema, who shared her memories of filming "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors".

Bancheny Monastery reports provocation

The UOC monastery in Bancheny has reported a provocation by unidentified individuals.

Romanian Church to hold joint prayer for peace in Ukraine

On the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Ukraine, special prayers for an end to the hostility will be offered in all churches of the Romanian Patriarchate, both in the country and abroad.

Armenian bishops call on authorities to stop Church persecution

At a meeting in Austria, hierarchs of the Armenian Apostolic Church reaffirmed their faithfulness to Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians and called on the authorities to stop the persecution of the clergy.

Italian media: Ukrainian authorities persecute the country’s largest confession

The Italian outlet L’Identità reported on mass searches, the arrests of clergy, and the ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which it describes as the largest Church in Ukraine.