Every visit of the Pope to a particular state attracts the attention of the global community. Ukraine, which is waging war in the East, especially needs such attention and support.
Patriarch Sviatoslav of the UGCC said it in an interview with Radio Liberty.
"We really want this visit to take place. For our part, we are ready to do everything possible to ensure that this moment comes. The Pope's arrival in any country is a huge spiritual event," the first hierarch said.
The head of the UGCC noted that the visit of the pontiff should not be perceived as the visit of some political figure.
"The Pope arrives as a pilgrim. A pilgrim of peace. It was voiced clear enough, as you remember, during the visit of the Holy Pope John Paul II to Ukraine. And then the whole ecumenical Church, the whole world, pays attention to the people, to the country where the Pope comes. That is, the Pope brings with him the attention, support, and prayer of universal Christianity," he said.
"In our circumstances, this is extremely important when Ukraine has not been heard about in recent years, when no one wanted to write about the war in Ukraine, or talk about it seriously when it became some marginal topic because it no longer created news in the media sense. And now, when the Holy Father pays attention to Ukraine, everyone begins to wonder what the people are, how they live, and why the Pope speaks about them. And when he arrives, he will bring with him the attention, support, and prayer of universal Christianity. That is why we want such a visit to take place and I personally say: "We are waiting for you!" said Patriarch Sviatoslav of the UGCC.