Sybiha meets with Pope's Special Envoy

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared information on the meeting on its official website.

It was precisely during his visit that Kyiv came under yet another massive Russian missile and drone attack. According to the foreign minister, no briefing can convey the reality of this war better than witnessing it firsthand.

"I expressed gratitude for the Holy See's unwavering solidarity with the Ukrainian people, its humanitarian efforts, and its consistent moral leadership in support of peace, human dignity, and international law. I stressed that one of our highest humanitarian priorities remains securing the return of all Ukrainian prisoners of war, unlawfully detained civilians, and every deported Ukrainian child.

Russia is waging war not only against Ukraine, but also against faith itself. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, nearly 740 religious sites of different faiths and denominations — including Orthodox churches, Catholic churches, Protestant places of worship, mosques, synagogues, and other religious buildings — have been damaged or destroyed by Russian attacks," the foreign minister said.

He stressed the urgent need to protect Ukraine's religious and cultural heritage, particularly in light of the recent Russian strike on the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. He called for continued international support for these efforts.

Sybiha provided Archbishop Gallagher with an update on the battlefield situation, Ukraine's peace initiatives, and Europe's increasing role in promoting a comprehensive and lasting peace.

"The Kremlin continues to escalate terror against civilians and expand its campaign to recruit mercenaries around the world, including in Africa. We discussed ways to help prevent such exploitation of vulnerable communities through dialogue with partners and religious leaders. We also discussed further humanitarian cooperation and support," Sybiha said.