Archbishop Shevchuk updates Pope Francis on war in Ukraine

His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, Major Archbishop in kyiv of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, informed Pope Francis about the worsening of the humanitarian emergency in Ukraine as a result of the war against Russia, which continues to attack several cities in the country with great force.

In a conversation with Vatican NewsHis Beatitude Shevchuk indicated that he informed the Pope about “the disaster of the war they are experiencing and the challenges they face as winter approaches.” The archbishop and the Holy Father met today, October 10, in an audience at the Vatican, on the eve of Pope Francis receiving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for the third time in his pontificate, on Friday, October 11.

Furthermore, the archbishop explained to the Pope what is the current reality of the Ukrainian Church in these difficult circumstances, particularly about the results of the recent synod of Greek Catholic bishops that focused on the ideal mechanisms to evangelize and bring a message of faith and hope to people who are going through desperate situations, such as the war in Ukraine.

“Pope Francis thanked me for the heroic service of our Church, bishops and priests, and assured me of his prayers and blessings,” said His Beatitude Shevchuk, who is also participating in the second session of the Synodality Synod taking place in Rome. .

The Greek Catholic archbishop also expressed his gratitude to the Pope “for his numerous interventions and for always remembering the ‘martyred’ Ukraine.”

Regarding President Zelensky’s visit to the Vatican, His Beatitude Shevchuk noted that “it is vital to share the pains of Ukraine and have the support of the Pope and the Holy See for our country and our suffering people.” In addition to the three audiences in the Vatican, the Pope received the Ukrainian president—in a private meeting—last June within the framework of the G7 meeting in Puglia (Italy).

“We ask for your solidarity and your prayers. Nearly 6 million Ukrainians will face a food crisis this winter. We need to feed the hungry,” His Beatitude Shevchuk remarked. And he concluded: “Pray for Ukraine! We trust in your solidarity!”

In March of this year, the senior archbishop expressed his concern in an interview with EWTN News that the citizens of Ukraine are being forgotten in the midst of the international political debate, and specified that the Catholic Church “is a main actor” in humanitarian efforts. for serving the most vulnerable in the country.

“I can testify that help cannot be delayed. Every day, probably about 200 Ukrainians are killed and any delay in the ability to receive help to protect those people is paid for with their blood,” he lamented.