Vatican audience: Pope Leo XIV comforts Ukrainian bishops and prays for end to war
Pope Leo XIV with bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (photo: ugcc.ua)
Pope Leo XIV met with the bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church at the Vatican. The Pontiff expressed his support for the Ukrainian people, emphasized the strength of their faith and hope amid war, and called for unity and prayer for peace, reports the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
On Wednesday, July 2, an audience of the Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church with Pope Leo XIV took place in the Consistory Hall of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican.
In his address to the bishops, Pope Leo XIV recalled his meeting with Ukrainian pilgrims on June 28, held as part of the UGCC's Jubilee Pilgrimage in St. Peter's Basilica.
He noted that the Jubilee Year 2025 is meant to renew the hope of all God's people, emphasizing that hope does not disappoint because it is grounded in the love of God in Jesus Christ, our Lord.
"Of course, in the current historical context, it is not easy to speak of hope to you and the people entrusted to your pastoral care... It is not easy to find words of comfort for families who have lost loved ones in this senseless war. I can imagine how difficult it is for you, who interacts daily with people wounded in both heart and body. Despite this, I receive numerous testimonies of faith and hope from the men and women of your people. This is a sign of God's strength, which manifests even amid the ruins of destruction," the Pontiff said.
The Holy Father also stressed that he's aware of many issues the bishops have to address in the Church and the humanitarian field.
"You are called to serve Christ in every wounded and suffering person who turns to your communities for concrete help," he emphasized.
At the end of the meeting, the Holy Father noted that "we are always comforted by the assurance that the Blessed Virgin Mary is with us, helps us, and leads us to her Son, who is our peace."
"Through her maternal intercession, I pray that peace will soon return to your homeland," said Pope Leo XIV.
He also asked the bishops to pray the "Our Father" in Ukrainian during the meeting.
After the gathering, the Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church invited Pope Leo XIV to visit Ukraine. His Beatitude Sviatoslav also assured him that Ukraine prays for the Pope daily. In response, Pope Leo XIV assured that he, too, prays daily for Ukraine and its people.
Pope addressed pilgrims in Ukrainian
Last Saturday, the Pope addressed Ukrainians in the Ukrainian language in his post on X.
In his message, he expressed his support for the Ukrainian people, especially the families of the fallen.
