Ukraine War
The Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. The Russian offensive triggered the largest refugee crisis since the Second World War. Thousands of people, including many civilians, have died in the war amid heavy fighting in the north, east, and south of Ukraine. The country is home to the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, the largest of the 23 Eastern Catholic Churches in communion with Rome. Pope Francis has said that the Vatican is willing to mediate an end to the conflict between the predominantly Eastern Orthodox nations.
The Latest
Pope Francis confirms Vatican envoy’s visit to China in wide-ranging interview
The pope also addressed “rigidity” in the Church and concerns about the Synod on Synodality. Read more
Pope Francis calls Russia to renew Ukraine grain deal
“I appeal to my brothers, the authorities of the Russian Federation, that the Black Sea Initiative be restored and grain... Read more
Vatican diplomat: Pope Francis ‘stubbornly believes in peace’
Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher last week defended what he described as Pope Francis’ “strong and courageous” push for peace in... Read more
Cardinal Zuppi to meet with President Biden to discuss Ukraine
The visit to Washington comes weeks after the Biden administration announced it would send controversial “cluster bombs” to Ukraine. Read more
Bishop expresses ‘moral concern’ over U.S. provision of cluster munitions to Ukraine
The Defense Department announced last week it would be sending “additional security assistance to meet Ukraine’s critical security and defense... Read more
Biden administration to send cluster bombs to Ukraine: What has the Church said?
Cluster bombs are mass casualty arms that present a grave threat to civilians both because of their large impact area... Read more
Papal envoy to Ukraine meets with President Zelenskyy, concludes ‘intense’ visit
Pope Francis’ envoy to Ukraine Cardinal Matteo Zuppi on Tuesday finished a “brief but intense” two-day visit to Kyiv. Read more
Cardinal Zuppi arrives in Ukraine to begin work as Vatican peace envoy
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi arrived in Kyiv on Monday to carry out the peace mission entrusted to him by Pope Francis. Read more
Vatican: Italian cardinal entrusted with Ukraine peace mission
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi has strong ties to the influential Sant’Egidio Community, which has helped negotiate reconciliation in countries like South... Read more
Pope Francis greets Russian Orthodox metropolitan after audience
The brief encounter in St. Peter’s Square with Metropolitan Anthony took place days after the pope said secret peace talks... Read more
Pope Francis says he did not lose consciousness before hospitalization in March
Asked about his health during the in-flight press conference, the 86-year-old pope said he felt bad on March 29 and... Read more
Ukraine’s prime minister asks Pope Francis to help bring back children taken to Russia
Ukraine’s prime minister told journalists Thursday that he has asked Pope Francis for help getting back children forcibly deported to... Read more
Pope Francis to receive Ukraine’s prime minister on Thursday
The two last met at the Vatican in March 2021 amid clashes between Ukraine and Russia in the Donbas region. Read more
Ukraine faults Vatican for ‘equating victim and aggressor’ during Way of the Cross
A Ukraine foreign ministry spokesman criticized a Vatican decision to have the words of two young people from Ukraine and... Read more
Pope Francis asked Catholics to renew Marian consecration every March 25. Here’s what that means
March 25 marks one year since Pope Francis consecrated Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Read more
National Catholic Prayer Breakfast speakers address attacks on human dignity
Addressing an audience of over 1,000, Ukrainian Greek Catholic Archbishop Borys Gudziak brought attention to the human toll of the... Read more
Pope Francis says imprisonment of Nicaraguan bishop reminds him of Hitler’s dictatorship
Pope Francis also speaks about Russia's “imperial” agenda, his thoughts on retirement, and Benedict XVI's funeral in a new round... Read more
Ukrainian soldier saved by praying the rosary, priest recounts
Part of Ukrainian priest Father Josafat Boyko’s ministry is to provide spiritual direction to soldiers fighting the Russian invasion. Read more
Spokesman for Russian Catholic bishops: ‘There is no foreseeable solution’ to Ukraine war
Father Kirill Gorbunov said that “the majority of the people are suffering” and that “after a year of war [with... Read more
This was Pope Francis’ spontaneous prayer for Ukraine on anniversary of war
“Heal us,” Pope Francis prayed. Read more
