Pope receives lists of Ukrainian prisoners of war held in Russian captivity

The newly elected Pope met with the communities of the Eastern Catholic Churches. According to the Coordination Center, the delegation of believers led by the Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, was the largest and most active among the participants.

With the assistance of the Coordination Center and the Embassy of Ukraine to the Holy See and the Order of Malta, a representative of the families of the captured soldiers attended the meeting with the pontiff. Lists of Ukrainian prisoners were handed over to Pope Leo XIV.

During the meeting, the pontiff reiterated that his heart is with Ukraine. He called for the return of prisoners and deported children.

"My heart is with the suffering people of Ukraine. Let's do everything possible to achieve real peace as soon as possible, just and lasting! And let all the prisoners be released, and let the children return to their families," the Pope said.

Pope Leo XIV appointment

Pope Francis passed away on April 21 after a severe illness. The cause of his death was a stroke. His funeral took place on April 26 in the Vatican.

On May 7, a conclave to elect a new pontiff began in the Sistine Chapel. On the first day, the cardinals failed to elect a pope, but on May 8, a white house appeared over the Sistine Chapel, and the Holy See was headed by Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost.

He became the first American Pope. The official enthronement ceremony of Leo XIV will take place this week, on May 18.

On Sunday, May 11, Pope Leo XIV delivered his first message in which he mentioned Ukraine. The new Pope said he carries in his heart the suffering of the people of Ukraine, who are close to his heart, and called for negotiations to achieve peace.