Pope stamp presented in Kyiv on visit anniversary
Presentation of a commemorative postage stamp dedicated to Pope John Paul II’s visit to Ukraine. Photo: DESS Facebook
On June 16, 2026, a commemorative postage stamp dedicated to the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul II's visit to Ukraine was presented at St. Nicholas Church in the capital. The event was attended by the head of the State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) Viktor Yelensky, representatives of the Office of the President, as well as OCU and UGCC clergy, reports DESS on Facebook.
Speaking before those gathered, Viktor Yelensky emphasized the geopolitical significance of the pontiff's visit in 2001. According to him, John Paul II "truly loved Ukraine" and played a key role in world history. The head of the SSEFC stated that the Pope not only contributed to the destruction of the "axis of evil," but also made significant efforts to "pull Central and Eastern Europe out of the Yalta system."
In his speech, the DESS head paid particular attention to the prospects of a new visit by the head of the Vatican. He stressed that Ukraine today is fully open to a papal visit and that such an initiative would receive comprehensive support.
"We expect Pope Leo XIV to affirm our aspiration for a just and lasting peace," Yelensky summarized, adding that the visit should reaffirm Ukraine’s standing as an independent actor on the world stage.
As the UOJ reported, the Vatican spoke out against the ban on the UOC.
Read also
In Poland, residents took to the streets to protest against a mosque in a residential building
In Kraków, residents spoke out against a Muslim prayer room that was operating in a residential building under the guise of a community center.
TCC Abducted a Protodeacon of the Volodymyr-Volyn Diocese of the UOC
The diocese reported that Protodeacon Bohdan Rudnychok was taken near his home after a church service and brought to the TCC in Rivne
MP calls strike on Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra "beneficial"
The lawmaker said the strike on the monastery became a useful tool against the “routinization” of the war – one Ukraine should take advantage of.
Authorities hold AI conference in Lavra's Refectory Church
Ostapenko said the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra had experienced firsthand how Kremlin bots operate.
Ternopil official who threatened to expel UOC sentenced to 9 years
The Appeals Chamber upheld the sentence against Mykhailo Holovko, who had vowed to evict the monks from the Pochaiv Lavra.
Bandera fresco shown online in Ternopil UGCC cathedral
Stepan Bandera is depicted in a suit on a fresco inside the UGCC cathedral in Ternopil.