UOC Chancellor comments on possible papal visit to Ukraine

Zelensky and Pope Leo. Photo: OP website

The Chancellor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanich), commented on the possibility of Pope Leo visiting Kyiv.

In an interview with the Serbian outlet Zhivot Crkve (Life of the Church), the hierarch noted that the pontiff himself has repeatedly emphasized that a trip to Kyiv would be possible only after peace is established.

The UOC Chancellor stressed that, from an Orthodox perspective, no visit by the head of the Roman Catholic Church to territory of traditional Orthodox presence can be considered entirely neutral. “Historical testimony shows that the Uniate issue has always been tied to painful experience, divisions, and serious ecclesiological and theological contradictions. The memory of these events and their consequences is still alive and cannot be ignored,” Metropolitan Anthony said.

The metropolitan recalled that the Orthodox Church rejects unionism in principle as a path to unity. This approach, he said, has been clearly expressed more than once at the pan-Orthodox level, including within Orthodox–Catholic dialogues.

“Ultimately, the fate of Orthodoxy in Ukraine is decided not by external visits and not by diplomatic gestures, but by the Church’s fidelity to Christ, the preservation of canonical order, and a living, grace-filled ecclesial life. This – and not union in any form – remains the true path of the Church,” Metropolitan Anthony emphasized.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the UOC Chancellor explained to Serbian media why unification with the OCU is impossible.

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