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 in Fatima, 2017.

Here's what you need to know about consecration of Russia and Ukraine by Pope Francis

The Vatican's surprise announcement March 15 that Pope Francis will consecrate Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary... Read more

Pope Francis in front of a statue of Our Lady of Fatima on the feast day of Our Lady of Fatima.

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

Mar 15, 2022

By CNA Staff

The consecration will take place on March 25. Read more

Sisters from Przemysł, Poland, help Ukrainian refugees.

Almost 1,000 Polish Catholic convents are helping Ukraine’s refugees

Mar 15, 2022

By CNA Staff

Nearly 1.8 million people have entered Poland from Ukraine since the full-scale Russian invasion. Read more

Bishop Eusebio Ignacio Hernández Sola of Tarazona welcomes a group of Ukrainian refugees to the diocesan seminary, March 13, 2022.

Spanish seminary takes in 60 refugees from Ukraine

Mar 14, 2022

By Diego López Marina

The seminary of the Diocese of Tarazona welcomed Sunday 60 refugees from Ukraine who arrived accompanied by dozens of volunteers... Read more

Cardinal Michael Czerny takes possession of his titular church of San Michele Arcangelo in Rome, Jan. 19, 2020.

Vatican cardinal to make 2nd visit to Ukraine border at Pope Francis’ request

Mar 14, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

Cardinal Michael Czerny will travel to the Ukraine-Slovakia frontier. Read more

The aftermath of Russian bombing on the outskirts of Irpin, northern Ukraine.

Expel ‘evil spirit of war’ from Ukraine with prayer and fasting, urges Catholic leader

Mar 14, 2022

By CNA Staff

The appeal was made by Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk. Read more

Banner calling for the consecration of Russia is displayed during Pope Francis' Angelus in St. Peter's Square on March 13, 2022.

Pope Francis: In the name of God, 'stop this massacre' in Ukraine

Mar 13, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

Pope Francis called for an end to the “harrowing war” in Ukraine on Sunday, condemning Russia's reported attacks on pregnant... Read more

The ruined Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, built in 1862, in Ukraine’s Zhytomyr region.

LA Archdiocese announces special collection for those suffering in Ukraine

Mar 12, 2022

By CNA Staff

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has asked parishes to add a special collection during the weekends of March 12-13 and... Read more

Papal almoner Cardinal Konrad Krajewski.

Papal almoner to head east ‘as far as possible’ on Ukraine trip

Mar 11, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

‘Faith can move mountains, let alone a stupid war,’ Cardinal Krajewski said. Read more

Civilians are evacuated from Irpin, a city next to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv.

Russian invasion turning into war against civilians, says Ukrainian Catholic leader

Mar 11, 2022

By CNA Staff

Citing official statistics, Major Archbishop Shevchuk said there were more deaths among civilians than the military. Read more

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow.

EU bishops implore Russian Orthodox patriarch to intervene in Ukraine conflict

Mar 11, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

Patriarch Kirill is primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, an autocephalous Eastern Orthodox Church with an estimated 150 million members. Read more

Our Lady of Fatima.

Our Lady of Fatima shrines asked to join in prayer for conversion of Russia

Mar 11, 2022

By CNA Staff

The appeal was made by the rector of Ukraine’s Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Fatima. Read more

Cardinal Michael Czerny at the Vatican press office on Feb. 12, 2020.

At Ukraine border, papal envoy denounces hospital bombing

Mar 10, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

‘We must stop these attacks on civilians,’ Cardinal Czerny said. Read more

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

Ukraine war: Metropolitan Hilarion suspended from post at Swiss university

Mar 10, 2022

By CNA Staff

Metropolitan Hilarion is one of the most prominent figures in the Russian Orthodox Church. Read more

Volunteer drivers in Ukraine, working with the Vulnerable People Project evacuate vulnerable populations from war-torn areas of Ukraine.

Catholic charity helping Christians flee Taliban is now active in Ukraine

Mar 10, 2022

By Joe Bukuras

Jason Jones' Vulnerable People Project has helped Christians and other minorities escape the Taliban in Afghanistan since U.S. forces pulled... Read more

Mariupol, southeastern Ukraine.

Ukraine's ‘City of Mary’ has been turned into a cemetery, says Catholic leader

Mar 10, 2022

By CNA Staff

The besieged city of Mariupol is known as the ‘City of Mary.’ Read more

Archbishop Borys Gudziak of the Ukrainian Archeparchy of Philadelphia.

'Pray for the conversion of Vladimir Putin': Philadelphia's Ukrainian archbishop reacts to Russian invasion

Mar 9, 2022

By CNA Staff

The Ukrainian Archbishop of Philadelphia fears that the Russian invasion will again lead to the suppression of Catholicism in Ukraine,... Read more

Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Irish Catholic bishops call on Patriarch Kirill to support Ukraine ceasefire

Mar 9, 2022

By CNA Staff

‘This invasion and aggression reminds us of the fragility of peace, even in Europe,’ the bishops said. Read more

The Bishop’s Palace in Kraków, southern Poland.

St. John Paul II’s former residence in Poland opens doors to Ukrainian refugees

Mar 9, 2022

By CNA Staff

Almost 1.3 million Ukrainians have sought refuge in Poland. Read more

The ruined Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, built in 1862, in Ukraine’s Zhytomyr region.

Ukrainian Catholic leader: ‘Our spiritual heritage is being destroyed by bombing’

Mar 9, 2022

By CNA Staff

Major Archbishop Shevchuk said that ‘priests are being killed.’ Read more