Latest news with #UkrainianGreekCatholicChurch
Herald Malaysia
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Herald Malaysia
Pope Leo XIV meets with head of Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church
The Major Archbishop of Kyiv expresses his gratitude to Pope Leo while meeting with him in a private audience on Thursday morning. The Archbishop gives him a painting entitled 'Requiem Prayer' depicting the suffering of the Ukrainian people. May 16, 2025 VATICAN: Pope Leo XIV received on Thursday morning, 15 May, His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, Major Archbishop of Kyiv. Meeting in the Library of the Apostolic Palace, the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church thanked the Pope for his words during the Regina Caeli on Sunday 11 May when he recalled the suffering of the Ukrainian people, calling for 'an authentic, just and lasting peace' and asking for the release of all prisoners and the return home of children who had been taken away. According to a statement from the Greek Catholic Secretariat, the Pope's words 'are a true spiritual balm for the wounded soul of the Ukrainian people.' At the conclusion of the audience, Archbishop Shevchuk presented the Pope with a symbolic painting entitled "Requiem Prayer", which depicts the suffering of the Ukrainian people. Artist Bohdan Pylypiv, the father of a soldier who died in the conflict, created the work.--Vatican News
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘My heart goes out to the beloved people of Ukraine' — Pope Leo XIV receives list of Ukrainian POWs at Vatican
Pope Leo XIV has been handed a list of Ukrainian soldiers in Russian captivity during a ceremony at the Vatican, Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said on May 15. A representative of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POW) families "personally" handed him the document during the Jubilee of Eastern Churches held on May 12–14. "My heart goes out to the suffering and beloved people of Ukraine. Let us do everything we can to bring about a true peace, a just and lasting peace, as soon as possible," Pope Leo XIV said, according to the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War. "Let all the prisoners be released and let the children return to their families," he added. There have been 64 POW swaps since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022, and five during 2025. The Ukrainian delegation present in the Vatican included the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Sviatoslav Shevchuk, who congratulated Pope Leo XIV on his election. Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, was elected as head of the Catholic Church in the conclave on May 8 after the death of his predecessor, Pope Francis. In his first Sunday address on May 11, Pope Leo XIV called for an "authentic and lasting peace" in Ukraine, adding that he carries in his heart the "suffering of the beloved people of Ukraine." Previously, while serving as Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru, Leo XIV spoke out against Russia's continued war against Ukraine. In a 2022 interview with Peruvian news outlet Semanario Expresion, he condemned Russia's war against Ukraine, characterizing it as "a true invasion, imperialist in nature, where Russia seeks to conquer territory for reasons of power." Read also: Exclusive: Ukraine eyes new sanctions on China, but Kyiv wary of peace talks fallout We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine hands over lists of Ukrainian POWs to Pope Leo XIV
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV has received lists of Ukrainian soldiers held in Russian captivity. Source: Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War on Telegram Details: It is noted that the meeting with the Pope took place with the assistance of the Coordination Headquarters and the Embassy of Ukraine to the Holy See and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. A representative of the families of captured soldiers personally handed the lists to the pontiff during his meeting with communities of the Eastern Catholic Churches. The Ukrainian community greeting Pope Leo XIV Photo: Coordination Headquarters The Ukrainian community, led by His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, was the largest among the participants of the event. His Beatitude Sviatoslav congratulated the Pope on his election, and the pontiff, in turn, called for every effort to be made to achieve a just peace. Pope Leo XIV said that his heart was with the suffering and beloved people of Ukraine. He called on everyone to do everything possible to achieve a true peace as soon as possible. The pontiff also called for the release of all prisoners of war and for children to be reunited with their families. Background: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he would likely meet with Pope Leo XIV on Sunday 18 May but added that this would depend on the diplomatic developments in relations with Russia. On 8 May, 69-year-old American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected the new Pope, taking the papal name Leo XIV. Zelenskyy congratulated Pope Leo XIV on his election and expressed hope that he would support the achievement of a just peace. On Sunday 11 May, Pope Leo XIV called for a "just and lasting peace" in Ukraine and an immediate cessation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip, with the simultaneous release of hostages. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Herald Malaysia
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Herald Malaysia
Cardinal Parolin: We hope talks in Istanbul open paths to peace
On the sidelines of an event on Ukraine at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin speaks about the direct negotiations starting Thursday in Türkiye, saying, 'We hope this is a serious starting point to end the war." May 15, 2025 Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, speaking to journalists outside the Pontifical Gregorian University By Salvatore CernuzioAll eyes are on Türkiye, a possible destination for Pope Leo XIV's first journey, marking 1,700 years since the Council of Nicaea, as well as the setting beginning on Thursday 15 May of the Istanbul summit, which hopes to bring together the presidents of Russia and Ukraine for direct negotiations aimed at achieving a ceasefire. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, answered journalists' questions on the sidelines of the event titled 'Toward a Theology of Hope for and from Ukraine,' held at the Pontifical Gregorian University and organized under the patronage of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. He shares hopes for these U.S.-mediated direct talks, which could, for the first time, see Presidents Zelensky and Putin meet in person. 'We always hope there are openings for peace,' the Cardinal told various media outlets. 'We are pleased that there is finally the possibility of a direct meeting. We hope that the existing issues can be resolved there and that a genuine peace process can begin.' According to the Secretary of State, it is 'premature' to predict what will happen, but the hope is that the meeting in Istanbul will mark 'a serious starting point' to end the war. Too early to consider a papal visit to Kyiv Cardinal Parolin also said it is 'premature' to consider a possible visit by Pope Leo XIV to Ukraine, touching on President Zelensky's invitation during a phone call on Monday morning. The Pope made impassioned appeals for the regions scarred by war during the Regina Caeli on Sunday and again in a speech earlier that day at the Jubilee of the Eastern Churches. 'He will continue, as he has done numerous times since the start of his pontificate, to call for an end to the war,' the Cardinal assured. 'We remain ready to offer spaces as well. Talking about mediation might be excessive, but at the least we are willing to offer good offices to facilitate meetings.' At the same time, the Vatican does not want 'to interfere with other ongoing initiatives.' Repatriation mechanism for children remains active The Holy See's position, said the Secretary of State, is one that 'seeks to bring the parties closer rather than create further divisions.' He confirmed that the mechanism, initiated and supported by Cardinal Matteo Zuppi's mission which has led to the repatriation of some Ukrainian children forcibly taken to Russia, remains 'active.' This mainly involves 'exchanging names via the Nunciatures, then local verification and responses.' The number of these children remains 'highly disputed,' but the key, he says, is that 'they are gradually being reunited with their families, homes, and loved ones.' Ending the conflict in Gaza Regarding the Middle East, the Pope and the Holy See will continue along the path set by Pope Francis: persistent appeals 'to end the conflict in Gaza, achieve the release of hostages,' and 'provide humanitarian aid to Gaza.' On these issues, there was 'a strong call for serious intervention' during the pre-Conclave general congregations, along with 'concern about the dwindling Christian presence in the Middle East.' 'We will need to find responses to this serious problem,' Cardinal Parolin said. Pope Leo XIV's peace efforts Avoiding questions about the content of discussions before and during the Conclave (saying with a smile, 'don't ask us questions we can't answer'), Cardinal Parolin focused instead on the newly elected Pope, who has received 'very positive' comments and reactions. 'He presented himself in a very calm manner. He is a man of peace, who desires peace, and who will build peace through the bridges he mentioned from the very first words of his greeting to the faithful.' Possible trip to Nicaea Finally, in response to a question about the Pope's first journey, the Cardinal said: 'I'm thinking of Nicaea. It's an important moment for the Catholic Church and for ecumenism. It was definitely planned that Pope Francis would go. I imagine Pope Leo will follow the same path.'--
Euronews
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Soldiers celebrate their fourth Easter on the frontlines in Ukraine
ADVERTISEMENT More than two billion Christians worldwide observed Easter on Sunday to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion. The holiday is considered the most important in the Christian liturgical calendar, constituting a central tenet of the faith. But observing the religious occasion in a peaceful and safe setting is not possible for soldiers on the frontlines in the war in Ukraine. A temporary ceasefire was announced on Saturday by Russian President Vladimir Putin to allow for a moment of respite and enable people to celebrate the holiday, which falls on the same day for Orthodox and Catholic Christians this year, for the first time since 2017. The peace was short-lived after the warring sides accused each other of breaking the truce and continuing to launch attacks. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of targeting Ukrainian cities with drones and missiles in a post an X, while accusing the Kremlin of attempting to sell the idea of honouring its temporary truce to the world. 'As of Easter morning, we can say that the Russian army is trying to create a general impression of a ceasefire, but in some places, it does not abandon individual attempts to advance and inflict losses on Ukraine.' Despite Putin's declaration of an Easter ceasefire, Zelenskyy said Sunday morning that Ukrainian forces had recorded 59 instances of Russian shelling and five assaults by units along the front line, as well as dozens of drone strikes. Russia's Defence Ministry accused Ukrainian forces of overnight attacks in the Donetsk region despite the ceasefire. It said Ukraine had sent 48 drones into Russian territory. According to the ministry, there were 'dead and wounded among the civilian population,' without giving details. It claimed Russian troops had strictly observed the truce. Russia-installed officials in the partially occupied Ukrainian region of Kherson also said Ukrainian forces had launched attacks. But despite the hardships of war, multiple Easter services and masses were organised across several Ukrainian cities. The capital, Kyiv, celebrated its fourth Easter holiday under martial law conditions. Hundreds attended the services in person at the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. The masses were also broadcast online for those unable to attend. Hundreds of worshippers gathered on Sunday for Easter services in the Church of St. John the Theologian, a long-standing spiritual and community centre in Kharkiv. The church has served as a source of strength throughout Ukraine's independence and has taken on new significance during the full-scale Russian invasion, transforming into a humanitarian hub. Father Viktor Marynchak, known since the 2004 Orange Revolution as the 'priest of Kharkiv's Maidans,' led the Easter liturgy alongside Bishop Mytrofan of Kharkiv. ADVERTISEMENT The service brought together a wide cross-section of Ukrainian society, including soldiers, volunteers, and long-time parishioners. Military chaplains were also present to bless traditional Easter bread. Russian soldiers also celebrated Easter on the frontlines. A video released by the Russian Defence Ministry showed Orthodox servicemen participating in traditional Easter practices, such as egg colouring. Soldiers were treated to warm meals and were given cake, as well as their own Easter service in one of the churches in the special military operation zone. ADVERTISEMENT Many hope this will be the last major holiday celebrated under war conditions, as efforts to bring the war to an end, championed by US President Donald Trump continue. Trump, in a post on his own social media platform – Truth Social, shared on Sunday that he's hopeful that a deal to end the fighting can be reached between Kyiv and Moscow this week.
