Head of UGCC congratulates Pope Francis on the anniversary of priesthood

On December 13, 1969, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 33 years old, was ordained a priest. He celebrates the 50th anniversary of his priestly ministry as an Ecumenical hierarch, and his main message to the world is God's mercy to man. This is reported by the Information Department of the UGCC.

On this occasion, His Beatitude Sviatoslav sent a congratulatory letter to His Holiness, in which he also expressed gratitude for the"closeness and support of the UGCC". The head of the UGCC noted the personal example of the then cardinal of Buenos Aires for the young Bishop from Ukraine, recalling his first experience of episcopal ministry, and thanked the Pope for the constant support of Ukraine, shown through his specific gestures and initiatives: "Your continuous support of the Ukrainian people during the last 5 years of their great suffering caused by the Russian aggression, inspires hope and fills us with spiritual strength."

In his letter, His Beatitude Sviatoslav also recalled the figure of Bishop Stepan Chmil: "We feel God's special blessing that the Ukrainian priest has made an important contribution to Your priestly vocation. After all, it was from You, Holy father, that we learned about this special connection with Bishop Stepan Chmil - a man who "did a lot of good for you" and from whom you received" a living testimony of the test of faith amid the terrible atheistic persecutions of the last century."