Cardinal Paulo Costa in Kyiv: “Do not let suffering take away your hope”
According to the official website of the Roman Catholic Church in Ukraine, Cardinal Paulo Cezar Costa met with representatives of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations in the morning. Members of the UCCRO emphasized the significance of illustrating the realities of Russia's aggressive policies to the faithful in Brazil and the broader society. They explained how the conflict began in 2014 and gradually escalated to a full-scale invasion in 2022.
Cardinal Paulo assured the members of the UCCRO of his prayerful support and promised to discuss Ukraine, his trip, and the experiences he gained during his time in Brazil, particularly during his meeting with the country's president.
Subsequently, Cardinal Costa arrived at the Apostolic Nunciature, where he met with the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, and the Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil to Ukraine, Rafael de Mello Vidal. This meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the situation of the Ukrainian diaspora in Brazil, one of the largest in the world.
The Apostolic Nuncio addressed the issue of Ukrainian children deported to Russia and shared relevant statistical data.
After lunch, the cardinal visited the Main Medical Clinical Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. The head of the center, Ivan Yavorsky, shared information about the treatment and rehabilitation of defenders taking place at the facility. During his visit, the guest from Brazil had the opportunity to meet and speak with soldiers undergoing rehabilitation, express his support, and offer them his blessings. "I was deeply moved by my encounter with the mother of one of the soldiers. She stood by her son’s bedside, who is in critical condition, and cried incessantly. This is the horror that war brings," remarked the cardinal.
While visiting the Radio Maria office, Cardinal Paulo discussed his experiences in Ukraine, the life of the Church in Brazil, and the upcoming Jubilee Year in 2025.
The cardinal visited St. Nicholas Church to honor the memory of parishioners who sacrificed their lives defending Ukraine. During his conversations with both parishioners and clergy, he stressed that his visit was meant to express the solidarity of the Universal Church and the goodwill of people from around the world with the Ukrainian people.
“Do not let suffering take away your hope. Do not be afraid to pray and ask God for the gift of peace. The Gospel teaches us to persevere in prayer. Be assured that we are also praying for you,” the cardinal addressed those present.
The parish priest, Fr. Pavlo Vyshkovsky, remarked, “The visit from our guest from Brazil signifies support for our homeland, our defenders, and our community. Cardinal Paulo expressed his wish that the church would soon become ours.”
On Sunday, July 20, Cardinal Costa will celebrate a festive Eucharist in honor of Our Lady of the Holy Scapular at the All-Ukrainian Sanctuary in Berdychiv.
