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
Pope Francis: ‘The cross of Christ remains the anchor of salvation’
Pope Francis on Wednesday said that offering Mass for the feast of the Holy Cross led him to think about... Read more
Cardinal Konrad Krajewski prays at mass grave in Ukraine
A Vatican envoy in Ukraine prayed in silence at the recently discovered mass grave in Izium on Monday while forensic... Read more
Pope Francis’ representative in Ukraine shot at while delivering aid
The incident happened while Cardinal Konrad Krajewski was bringing food and other supplies to people stuck in a “no-man’s land”... Read more
Ukrainian refugees say they 'found new family' with friars in Slovakia
Ukrainian refugees in Slovakia have spoken about their sorrow at the ongoing conflict in their country and voiced gratitude for... Read more
Vatican: Pope Francis’ Ukraine War comments not a ‘political stance’
The Holy See said Pope Francis’ recent comments on a car bombing that killed the daughter of an ally of... Read more
Report: Patriarch Kirill will not meet Pope Francis in Kazakhstan
It was hoped the two religious leaders would meet to discuss a peaceful resolution to the six-month-long war in Ukraine. Read more
Six months into Ukraine War, Pope Francis asks Mary to bring peace
Pope Francis made a special appeal for peace between Ukraine and Russia at Wednesday's end of his general audience. Read more
Pope Francis in Canada: How Ukrainian migrants and indigenous peoples can learn from each other
The history of indigenous peoples in Canada speaks to the plight of Ukrainian immigrants, says this bishop in Edmonton. Read more
'The Catholic Church remembers Ukraine': Archbishop visits wounded soldiers
Before visiting recently released prisoners of war in Ukraine, the resident of the Council of the Bishops’ Conferences of Europe... Read more
Pope Francis assures Ukrainian Greek Catholic bishops of prayers, 'involvement' to end war
Pope Francis said he is praying for Ukraine and working behind the scenes to help suffering Ukrainians. Read more
Pope Francis: Evangelization is not ‘personal activism’ but a witness of love
In his Angelus address, the pope posed a question: “How do we bring the good news of the Gospel to... Read more
Pope Francis condemns ‘barbaric attack’ on Ukraine mall
A Russian missile hit a shopping mall June 27, killing at least 18, Ukrainian authorities said. Read more
UK government sanctions head of Russian Orthodox Church
The Foreign Office said that Patriarch Kirill was being ‘sanctioned for his support and endorsement of Putin’s war.’ Read more
Pope Francis: Russia’s use of mercenaries in Ukraine is ‘monstrous’
In a new interview, the pope suggested the Ukraine war was ‘perhaps somehow either provoked or not prevented.’ Read more
Pope Francis discusses Ukraine war with European Commission head
Ursula von der Leyen also met with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin. Read more
Poland’s Catholic bishops: Many Ukrainians ‘will not be able to survive’ without help
More than three million people have fled from Ukraine to Poland since Feb. 24. Read more
Pope Francis calls 100 days of war in Ukraine ‘negation of God’s dream’
During his Regina Coeli address, the pope urged world leaders to unite against war and work toward solutions. Read more
Boy asks Pope Francis: 'Can you come to Ukraine to save all the children?'
The poignant exchange came during the pope's meeting with 160 schoolchildren on June 4. Read more
Bishop of Kyiv after 100 days of war: 'Please, let us not stop praying for Ukraine'
The fighting in Ukraine has entered a new phase, and some are losing interest —and hope. Read more
Pope Francis: Do not use wheat as a ‘weapon of war’ in Ukraine
‘Please do not use wheat, a staple food, as a weapon of war,’ he urged at the general audience. Read more
