Ukrainian Foreign Minister expresses regret over Pope's inability to visit Ukraine during the war

In an interview with the BBC, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba expressed his regret that Pope Francis has not yet visited Ukraine during the ongoing conflict. Kuleba stated that Ukraine needs to build the strongest possible coalition of support for future negotiations with Russia after the war, but he does not believe that the Pope is part of that alliance. "We need the strongest possible coalition of support, and that coalition must be global. It must include not only Europe, the United States, Canada, and Australia but also Latin America, Africa, and Asia," Kuleba said, according to European Pravda.

Kuleba acknowledged that it was not for him but for God to judge the Holy Father. However, he expressed deep regret that the Pope has not yet had the opportunity to visit Ukraine since the beginning of the war. Pope Francis has reportedly stated that he is willing to visit Ukraine, but only on the condition that he will also visit Moscow afterwards.

In addition, the Pope has extended an invitation to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to visit the Vatican for an audience.