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 holds up a flag which he said was brought to him from “the martyred city” of Bucha, Ukraine at his general audience on April 6, 2022.

Pope Francis: Blood of Bucha victims ‘cries out to heaven’ for end to Ukraine war

Apr 6, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The pope held up a blue and yellow flag which he said was brought to him from “the martyred city”... Read more

Pope Francis and Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk.

Major archbishop hopes Pope Francis will visit Kyiv ‘as soon as possible’

Apr 4, 2022

By CNA Staff

The pope has said that a visit is “on the table.” Read more

The aftermath of the Russian occupation of Bucha, Ukraine.

Ukrainian Catholic leader denounces ‘horrific war crimes’ in Bucha

Apr 4, 2022

By CNA Staff

Major Archbishop Shevchuk said: ‘Europe only saw such scenes in the liberation from the Nazis.’ Read more

Pope Francis speaks during an in-flight press conference from Malta, April 3, 2022.

Will Pope Francis go to Kyiv? Will he call out Putin by name? Here’s what he told the media

Apr 3, 2022

By CNA Staff

The pope was speaking at an in-flight press conference. Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass at the Granaries in Floriana, Malta, April 3, 2022.

Pope Francis laments ‘sacrilegious war’ in Ukraine as he prays Angelus in Malta

Apr 3, 2022

By CNA Staff

‘May we be tireless in praying and in offering assistance to those who suffer,’ the pope said. Read more

Pope Francis speaks to journalists aboard the papal flight to Malta on April 2, 2022.

Pope Francis: Visit to Kyiv is 'on the table'

Apr 2, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis on Saturday said a papal visit to Kyiv is "on the table," raising the possibility of a dramatic... Read more

A lively crowd greeted Pope Francis as he arrived at the Grand Master’s Palace in Valletta, Malta, on April 2, 2022.

Pope Francis arrives in Malta calling for peace and the protection of life

Apr 2, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis urged authorities in Malta to protect life and appealed to the international community to work for peace in... Read more

Pope Francis meets Ukraine war refugees at his Vatican residence, April 2, 2022.

Pope Francis greets Ukraine war refugees before first papal flight of 2022

Apr 2, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The group of 15 refugees consisted of mothers and children. Read more

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Ukraine war is a reminder of an invisible spiritual battle, Catholic leader says

Mar 31, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

Major Archbishop Shevchuk said: ‘Bring the devil to light and we will overcome.’ Read more

Father Pedro Zafra says Mass in Kyiv.

Priest staying in Ukraine with his parishioners: 'God gives me the strength'

Mar 29, 2022

By ACI Prensa

Father Pedro Zafra is a 31-year-old priest from Córdoba, Spain, who arrived in Kyiv in 2011 for priestly formation. He... Read more

Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, pictured in 2021.

‘I’m sorry for the tears,’ says Ukrainian Catholic leader as he details life under bombardment

Mar 29, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

Major Archbishop Shevchuk said his daily video messages ‘were spontaneous, just to let everyone know that I’m alive.’ Read more

Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki with Bartholomew I of Constantinople in Warsaw, Poland, on March 29, 2022.

Orthodox leader and Polish Catholic archbishop pray for peace in Ukraine

Mar 29, 2022

By CNA Staff

Patriarch Bartholomew I is visiting Poland to offer his blessing to Ukrainian refugees. Read more

Father Jason Charron with an orphan from Ukraine.

A Catholic priest and a parishioner team up to rescue Ukrainian orphans 

Mar 28, 2022

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

A Ukrainian Catholic priest, who is married and a father of seven, recently accompanied one of his parishioners on a... Read more

Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk records a video message on March 28, 2022.

Catholic leader: Ukraine war presents the world with a choice

Mar 28, 2022

By CNA Staff

Major Archbishop Shevchuk said: ‘Make your choice. Stand on the side of the innocent victims of unjust aggression.’ Read more

Pope Francis and Cardinal Konrad Krajewski with the ambulance bound for Ukraine.

Vatican cardinal brings ambulance from Pope Francis to Ukraine

Mar 28, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

This is the second time that Cardinal Konrad Krajewski has traveled to Lviv since full-scale war broke out. Read more

Pope Francis reads the Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in St. Peter’s Basilica, March 25, 2022.

Pope Francis consecrates Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Mar 25, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

In his homily, the pope said that the consecration ‘is no magic formula but a spiritual act.’ Read more

An image of the Immaculate Heart of Mary at St. Peter's Church, Vienna, Austria.

As it happened: Pope Francis’ Consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Mar 25, 2022

By CNA Staff

Our reporters were inside St. Peter’s Basilica for the consecration of Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Read more

Pope Francis in front of a statue of Our Lady of Fatima in St. Peter’s Square on May 13, 2015.

5 things to know about Pope Francis’ consecration prayer to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Mar 25, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The prayer will be recited by Catholics worldwide on March 25. Read more

Epiphanius I of Ukraine and Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk meet on March 23, 2022.

Ukrainian Greek Catholic leader meets head of Orthodox Church of Ukraine

Mar 24, 2022

By CNA Staff

Major Archbishop Shevchuk requested the meeting with the leader of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. Read more

Bishop Rudolf Voderholzer with Ukrainian refugees in front of Msgr. Georg Ratzinger’s former home.

Home of Benedict XVI’s late brother opens doors to Ukrainian refugees

Mar 24, 2022

By CNA Staff

Benedict XVI visited his ailing brother at the house in June 2020. Read more