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
Vatican adapts Good Friday Way of the Cross after outcry in Ukraine
The original plan was strongly criticized by Ukrainian Catholic leaders. Read more
Good Friday 2022: Papal envoy prays at mass grave in Ukraine
Cardinal Konrad Krajewski visited the newly liberated areas around the capital Kyiv. Read more
Good Friday 2022: Pope Francis says ‘world has chosen the path of Cain’
‘War is everywhere,’ he told interviewer Lorena Bianchetti. Read more
How the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church spread worldwide
In 1946, the Church’s very existence was threatened. Today, it is thriving worldwide. Read more
Ukrainian suffering makes Rome's Via Crucis format 'incomprehensible', bishop says
Another Ukrainian bishop has voiced concern about the incorporation of both Russian and Ukrainian families into Pope Francis’ Way of... Read more
With pope’s blessing, Knights of Columbus to give 10,000 Easter care packages to Ukraine war victims
‘Our efforts in Ukraine and Poland have only just begun,’ said Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly. Read more
European church leaders ask Putin and Zelenskyy for Easter ceasefire
‘We respectfully request you to declare a ceasefire in Ukraine from midnight on April 17,’ they wrote. Read more
Why the pope’s representative in Kyiv is fighting ‘fake news’
The nunciature denied claims that Vladimir Putin has accounts at the ‘Vatican bank.’ Read more
Here’s what Pope Francis says about World War III in a new book
‘And so, step by step, we are moving towards catastrophe,’ the pope writes. Read more
‘Our hands have become like wings’: Catholic charity workers bring aid to Kyiv region
Caritas-Spes distributed five tonnes of food in recently liberated areas. Read more
Spaniards send Sacred Heart badges to Ukraine's soldiers
The Diocese of Getafe, in collaboration with the Shrine of the Great Promise in Valladolid, has made 10,000 Sacred Heart... Read more
Pope Francis: 'Speak out forcefully' against 'abominable actions' in Ukraine
In a message to participants in an interreligious pilgrimage to Ukraine, Pope Francis said “the present moment leaves us deeply... Read more
‘An untimely idea’: Ukrainian Catholic leader concerned by format of Pope’s Good Friday Via Crucis
Major Archbishop Shevchuk addressed the plan for Ukrainian and Russian families to carry a cross together. Read more
Cardinal Tagle laments killing of Caritas workers in Mariupol
‘We honor the sacrifice of humanitarian workers by praying for them and their families,’ he said. Read more
7 people killed at Caritas office in besieged city of Mariupol
Two female staff members of Caritas Mariupol were said to be among the dead. Read more
‘A blow from the devil’: Shattered Fatima statue found in Ukrainian Catholic seminary occupied by Russians
‘This affair struck me as very unusual,’ said seminary rector Father Ruslan Mikhalkiv. Read more
Ukrainian and Russian families to carry cross at pope’s Good Friday Via Crucis
The two families will carry a wooden cross together for the 13th station in the Colosseum. Read more
Pope Francis calls for an 'Easter truce' in Ukraine on Palm Sunday 2022
“Let the weapons be put down. Let the Easter truce begin,” Pope Francis urged. Read more
Ukrainian Catholic leader prays at mass grave in Bucha
‘Seeing the mutilated, breathless bodies, we prayed for their eternal rest,’ Major Archbishop Shevchuk said. Read more
Cardinal Parolin: Ukraine has the right to defend itself, but arms shipments could cause ‘terrible’ escalation
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, discussed the Holy See's diplomatic efforts to stop the fighting in Ukraine... Read more
