Head of the UGCC discussed situation in Ukraine with Vatican officials

More than thirty participants took part in the meeting, discussing the situation in Ukraine and the role of the Church on the local and international levels.

At the beginning of the meeting, His Beatitude Sviatoslav spoke about the situation within the country, emphasizing that "Ukrainian people have been victims of Russian aggression for eight years", which provoked a big wave of internal displacement and a number of socio-economic problems.

Answering the question about what the Church's response to the current crisis is, His Beatitude Sviatoslav identified several important stages: first and foremost we have to pray for peace and practice works of mercy, being with those who are in extreme needs. In times of receiving anxious messages – church must be a voice of hope for their people. The Major Archbishop assumes that the Church has a special mission in consolidating people in the face of various dangers.

Special attention was paid to the diplomatic efforts of the Holy See in achieving peace and the role of Pope Francis. The Head of the UGCC stressed that "we feel this readiness of the Holy See to respond to new needs and make all necessary efforts to avoid war on the European continent and achieve peace in our country."

The Head of the UGCC denied information about the inter-religious war in Ukraine. "There is no inter-religious war in Ukraine. On the contrary, different denominations are doing everything possible to preserve religious peace, implementing various initiatives, and praying together for the war to end".