Russia

The Latest

Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki.

Polish bishops’ leader: Vatican’s approach to Russia ‘naive and utopian’

May 24, 2022

By Luke Coppen

Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki made the remark after a May 17-20 visit to Ukraine. Read more

Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, addresses Pope Francis at the Vatican, May 6, 2022.

What’s the future of Catholic-Russian Orthodox relations?

May 9, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Pope Francis appears to have burned ecumenical bridges with Moscow. Vatican Cardinal Kurt Koch is seeking to rebuild them. Read more

Pope Francis takes part in a video call with Patriarch Kirill on March 16, 2022.

Russian Orthodox Church: Pope Francis’ comments about talks with Patriarch Kirill ‘regrettable’

May 4, 2022

By CNA Staff

The Moscow Patriarchate said the pope’s words were ‘unlikely to contribute to the establishment of a constructive dialogue.’ Read more

Pope Francis and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Pope Francis says he wants to meet Putin in Moscow to discuss Ukraine war

May 3, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

‘We have not yet had a response,’ the pope said. Read more

Pope Francis takes part in a video call with Patriarch Kirill, March 16, 2022.

Pope Francis says Vatican canceled meeting with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill

Apr 22, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

In an interview with an Argentine newspaper published Thursday, Pope Francis said a meeting with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill will... Read more

Pilgrims participate in the Good Friday Via Crucis with Pope Francis March 30, 2018.

Ukrainian suffering makes Rome's Via Crucis format 'incomprehensible', bishop says

Apr 14, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

Another Ukrainian bishop has voiced concern about the incorporation of both Russian and Ukrainian families into Pope Francis’ Way of... Read more

The aftermath of the Russian occupation of Bucha, Ukraine.

European church leaders ask Putin and Zelenskyy for Easter ceasefire

Apr 13, 2022

By CNA Staff

‘We respectfully request you to declare a ceasefire in Ukraine from midnight on April 17,’ they wrote. Read more

Pope Francis prays the Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum in Rome, Italy, on Good Friday, April 14, 2017.

Ukrainian and Russian families to carry cross at pope’s Good Friday Via Crucis

Apr 11, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The two families will carry a wooden cross together for the 13th station in the Colosseum. Read more

The aftermath of the Russian occupation of Bucha, Ukraine.

Ukrainian Catholic leader denounces ‘horrific war crimes’ in Bucha

Apr 4, 2022

By CNA Staff

Major Archbishop Shevchuk said: ‘Europe only saw such scenes in the liberation from the Nazis.’ Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in Paul VI Hall on March 2, 2022

‘Enough!’ End war before it ends us, Pope Francis says as Ukraine invasion continues

Mar 27, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

"Before the danger of self-destruction, may humanity understand that the moment has come to abolish war, to erase it from... Read more

Pope Francis prays during the penitential service at St. Peter's Basilica, March 25, 2022.

Full text: Pope Francis' homily at the penance service and act of consecration to the Immaculate Heart

Mar 25, 2022

By CNA Staff

On March 25 Pope Francis led a celebration of the sacrament of penance and the act of consecration to the... Read more

Pope Francis reads the Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in St. Peter’s Basilica, March 25, 2022.

Pope Francis consecrates Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Mar 25, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

In his homily, the pope said that the consecration ‘is no magic formula but a spiritual act.’ Read more

An image of the Immaculate Heart of Mary at St. Peter's Church, Vienna, Austria.

As it happened: Pope Francis’ Consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Mar 25, 2022

By CNA Staff

Our reporters were inside St. Peter’s Basilica for the consecration of Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Read more

Pope Francis in front of a statue of Our Lady of Fatima in St. Peter’s Square on May 13, 2015.

5 things to know about Pope Francis’ consecration prayer to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Mar 25, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The prayer will be recited by Catholics worldwide on March 25. Read more

Cardinal Piacenza, head of the Apostolic Penitentiary, celebrates Mass Nov. 1, 2020, at Rome’s Shrine of Our Lady of the Third Millennium at Tre Fontane.

Consecration of Russia and Ukraine ‘a radical call’ to personal conversion, says Vatican cardinal

Mar 25, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

‘The consecration will have its own efficacy,’ Cardinal Piacenza said. Read more

Russian Orthodox Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk speaks at the International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest, Hungary, Sept. 6, 2021.

Russian Orthodox metropolitan seems to exclude possibility of an appeal for peace to Russian leaders

Mar 24, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

In response to a letter to the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church pleading for his intervention in the Ukraine... Read more

An image of the Immaculate Heart of Mary at St. Peter's Church, Vienna, Austria. | Pope Francis

What time is the consecration of Russia and Ukraine? Find out here

Mar 24, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

The pope says he will pray the prayer at 6:30 p.m. Rome time. Read more

Pope Francis at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal on May 12, 2017.

Pope Francis asks all Catholics to take part in consecration of Russia, Ukraine to Immaculate Heart of Mary

Mar 23, 2022

By Courtney Mares

‘I ask you to join in this act by inviting the priests, religious and faithful to assemble in their churches... Read more

Pope Francis and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In new phone call, Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy tells Pope Francis he would welcome Vatican mediation

Mar 22, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Ukrainian president said he told the pope about ‘the blocking of rescue corridors by Russian troops.’ Read more