"The Pope's visit to Ukraine would be a very strong gesture for all mankind," - Head of the UGCC
Speaking to reporters via videoconference from Kyiv, Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk said that there is no need to wait for ideal conditions and the visit can take place even in the current conditions, UNN reports.
"We have expressed our desire several times for the Holy Father to visit Ukraine. We invited him and often repeated him, " the head of the UGCC said. - We're hopeful. Gestures are very important and visiting Ukraine would be a very strong gesture for all of humanity."
Ukraine is a predominantly Orthodox country, but about 10% of the population belongs to the Eastern or Byzantine Catholic Church.
"In Ukraine, there is a consensus, not only among Catholics but also among Orthodox and even non-believers, that Pope Francis is the most important moral authority in the world today," His Beatitude Sviatoslav said. "People say that if the Pope comes to Ukraine, the war will end. They see the papal visit as a messenger of peace."
On January 26, Pope Francis led the International Day of Prayer for Peace in Ukraine, calling for a dialogue that would prevail over biased interests.
