Pope Expresses Solidarity With ‘Martyred Ukraine’

June 30 ------ Pope Leo XIV has expressed solidarity with Ukraine, saying that the country has been “martyred” by Russia’s “senseless war.” He added that the conflict, now into its fourth year, has “sorely tested” the faith of the Ukrainian people.

The Pope made the remarks while welcoming a group of Ukrainian Greek Catholic pilgrims to the Vatican on Friday. Among those present was His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, along with bishops, priests and lay pilgrims.

The group had come to Rome to mark the Catholic Jubilee, a holy year last observed in 2015–2016. The theme of the 2025 Jubilee is “Pilgrims of Hope. "In his address at St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo acknowledged the spiritual anguish many Ukrainians are enduring as a result of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

“The faith of your people is now being sorely tested,” he said. “Many of you, since the large-scale invasion of Ukraine began, have surely asked: Lord, why all this? Where are you? What must we do to save our families, our homes and our homeland? "He continued: “I express my closeness to martyred Ukraine—to the children, the young people, the elderly, and especially to families who mourn their loved ones. “I express my closeness to martyred Ukraine—to the children, the young people, the elderly, and especially to families who mourn their loved ones. I share your sorrow for the prisoners and victims of this senseless war. “I share your sorrow for the prisoners and victims of this senseless war. I entrust to the Lord your intentions, your daily hardships and tragedies, and above all, the desires for peace and serenity.”

The pontiff, leader of more than 1.4 billion Catholics, also offered a special blessing to mothers of soldiers killed on the frontlines. Greek Catholicism is Ukraine’s second-largest Christian denomination, with adherents making up around one-tenth of the population. Largely centered in western Ukraine, the church follows many rituals and practices of the Orthodox Church while remaining under papal authority.

Zelensky thanks the Pope

Following the Pope’s address President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude on social media. “Thank you, Your Holiness, for your continued prayers and compassion for Ukraine and our people,” Zelensky wrote on social media platform X. He added: “Together we must stop this wanton Russian aggression and protect innocent lives. A just peace is needed. And we would also deeply appreciate your kind help in bringing back all our people—adults and children—held in Russian captivity against their will.”

Source: kyivpost.com