Ukraine War

The Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. The Russian offensive triggered the largest refugee crisis since the Second World War. Thousands of people, including many civilians, have died in the war amid heavy fighting in the north, east, and south of Ukraine. The country is home to the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, the largest of the 23 Eastern Catholic Churches in communion with Rome. Pope Francis has said that the Vatican is willing to mediate an end to the conflict between the predominantly Eastern Orthodox nations.

The Latest

Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, pictured on May 12, 2016.

Ukraine conflict: Cardinal Bo fears ‘nightmare scenario’ of ‘global nuclear holocaust’

Mar 4, 2022

By CNA Staff

The Burmese Church leader said the world was on ‘the threshold of self-annihilation.’ Read more

Refugees from Ukraine arrive at Przemyśl Główny train station in Poland

Spanish nuns evacuated from Ukraine: Christ was with us in the Blessed Sacrament 

Mar 3, 2022

By ACI Prensa

Before war broke out in Ukraine, Sisters María, María Jesús, and Antonia of the Missionaries of the Congregation of Saint... Read more

The aftermath of missile strikes in Irpin, a satellite city on Kyiv’s western outskirts.

Ukrainian Catholic leader: ‘Kyiv is being transformed into the spiritual capital of the world’

Mar 3, 2022

By CNA Staff

Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk issued a video message as Ukraine entered ‘the second week of this horrible war.’ Read more

St. Sophia’s Cathedral in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv.

How the Ukraine conflict is reshaping relations between Churches

Mar 3, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The Patriarchate of Moscow appears increasingly isolated. Read more

Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow.

Polish Catholic archbishop to Russian Orthodox leader: Please ask Putin to stop Ukraine war

Mar 2, 2022

By CNA Staff

Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki made the appeal in a strongly worded letter. Read more

Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone praying the rosary for Ukraine in his chapel on March 2, 2022.

Did a cyberattack disrupt Archbishop Cordileone's rosary for Ukraine?

Mar 2, 2022

By CNA Staff

Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone's online "Rosary for Peace in Ukraine” Wednesday was disrupted by a suspected cyberattack, according to the... Read more

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Bishops in South America encourage day of prayer and fasting for peace in Ukraine

Mar 2, 2022

By Giselle Vargas

The bishops of Chile, Paraguay, and Bolivia encouraged the faithful to participate in the day of prayer and fasting for... Read more

Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Bishops ask Pope Francis to consecrate Ukraine and Russia to Immaculate Heart of Mary

Mar 2, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The request was issued by Ukraine’s Latin Rite Catholic bishops. Read more

Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk records a video message on March 2, 2022.

Ukrainian Catholic leader: ‘May the common prayer of the whole world bring peace to Ukraine’

Mar 2, 2022

By CNA Staff

Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk sent a video message from Kyiv on the seventh day of the full-scale Russian invasion. Read more

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

Pope Francis thanks Polish people for opening homes to Ukrainians fleeing war

Mar 2, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The pope was speaking at his weekly general audience. Read more

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Give Ukrainians temporary immigration protections, senators ask Biden 

Mar 1, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

The Russian invasion of Ukraine means that Ukrainians in the United States deserve temporary protected status under federal immigration law,... Read more

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Ukrainian Catholic priest in D.C.: Russia has list of church leaders

Mar 1, 2022

By Joe Bukuras

A Ukrainian Catholic priest who is the dean of theology at the Catholic University of America says church leaders have... Read more

CNA

Ukrainian Catholic leader: ‘Let us pray for our enemies’

Mar 1, 2022

By CNA Staff

Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk deplored the deaths of women and children amid the Russian invasion. Read more

An explosion in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on Feb. 24, 2022.

Ukraine conflict: Catholic priest in Kyiv shares how Caritas is helping children find shelter

Mar 1, 2022

By Courtney Mares

‘In my house, we have 37 people,’ Father Vyacheslav Grynevych said. Read more

The damaged diocesan chancery in Kharkiv, northeastern Ukraine.

Ukraine conflict: Bomb hits Catholic diocese’s headquarters in besieged city

Mar 1, 2022

By CNA Staff

Forty people were sheltering in the basement, but no injuries were reported. Read more

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Hackers interrupt Catholic charity’s online press conference on Ukraine

Mar 1, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Speakers were drowned out by a stream of obscenities. Read more

Bishop Pavlo Honcharuk, Latin Rite bishop of Kharkiv-Zaporizhia, Ukraine.

Ukrainian Catholic bishop is sheltering with Orthodox counterpart in besieged city, says charity

Mar 1, 2022

By CNA Staff

‘I wish for this war to end as quickly as possible,’ Bishop Pavlo Honcharuk said. Read more

Photo illustration.

Dozens of headstones overturned at Ukrainian Catholic cemetery near Baltimore

Mar 1, 2022

By Joe Bukuras

The day before Russia invaded Ukraine last week, about 49 headstones at a Ukrainian Catholic cemetery in the outskirts of... Read more

Cardinal George Pell gives an interview to EWTN News in Rome, Italy, on Dec. 9, 2020. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA.

Cardinal Pell condemns ‘illegal and ferocious Russian invasion’ in letter to Ukrainian Catholic leader

Mar 1, 2022

By CNA Staff

The Australian cardinal said he regretted the ‘absence of support’ for Ukrainians. Read more

Refugees from Ukraine arrive at Przemyśl Główny train station in eastern Poland.

Polish Catholic archbishop greets Ukrainian refugees arriving at train station as humanitarian crisis grows

Feb 28, 2022

By CNA Staff

Archbishop Adam Szal assured the new arrivals of his prayers for peace in their homeland. Read more