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

CNA

US bishops urge prayer, fasting for Ukraine

Feb 24, 2022

By CNA Staff

Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. bishops’ conference, on Thursday encouraged the undertaking of prayer and... Read more

Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, meets Pope Francis, Nov. 11, 2021.

Ukraine archbishop skipping papal trip to remain in homeland

Feb 24, 2022

By Katie Yoder

Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of Kyiv-Halych remained in the capital city of Kyiv instead of traveling to Florence for a... Read more

CNA

‘Our life is in God’s hands,’ says EWTN priest in Ukraine

Feb 24, 2022

By Katie Yoder

The Catholic priest who directs EWTN Ukraine plans to stay in the capital city of Kyiv while others flee to... Read more

Prayer candle at a Military Chaplaincy in Ukraine. Photo Courtesy of Aid to the Church in Need.

Things to know about the Catholic Church in Ukraine

Feb 24, 2022

By CNA Staff

Though most of Ukraine's population is Eastern Orthodox, Catholics are among those suffering amid Russia's invasion of the country. Russian... Read more

Caritas Internationalis homepage.

Caritas launches Ukraine fund drive, warning of a 'colossal humanitarian catastrophe'

Feb 24, 2022

By Christine Rousselle

Caritas Internationalis launched an emergency appeal to provide relief to Ukraine after Russia invaded the country on Thursday, Feb. 24.  Read more

null

Polish bishops 'strongly' condemn Russian invasion of Ukraine

Feb 24, 2022

By CNA Staff

The Polish Bishops' Conference is responding to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Conference president and Archbishop Stanislaw Gądecki of Poznan, conference... Read more

Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

Vatican laments ‘tragic’ invasion of Ukraine by Russia

Feb 24, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

“The tragic scenes which everyone feared are unfortunately becoming reality,” Cardinal Parolin said on Thursday. Read more

Pope Francis is calling for prayers for a peaceful resolution to the crisis in Ukraine.

Catholics in Europe react to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Feb 24, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Catholics across Europe have reacted to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with expressions of solidarity with the Ukrainian people and prayers... Read more

Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, pictured at Vatican Radio, July 8, 2019.

Ukraine major archbishop responds to Russian invasion: ‘The Lord is with us’

Feb 24, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

“We believe that in this historic moment the Lord is with us,” Ukrainian Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk said on Thursday. Read more

Archbishop Mieczysław Mokrzycki, Latin Rite archbishop of Lviv, Ukraine.

Ukraine crisis: Catholic archbishop says God will have last word on Russia conflict

Feb 23, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

‘Rest assured, our prayers can change the course of this conflict,’ he said. Read more

Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, leader of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.

Major archbishop: Russia’s east Ukraine move places ‘all of humanity’ in danger

Feb 23, 2022

By CNA Staff

‘Irreparable damage has been done to the very logic of international relations,’ he said. Read more

Pope Francis’ general audience in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, Feb. 23, 2022.

Ukraine crisis: Pope Francis calls for global day of fasting for peace on Ash Wednesday

Feb 23, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The pope called for people to pray and fast for peace in Ukraine on March 2, Ash Wednesday. Read more

Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki.

Polish Catholic bishops’ leader calls for ‘open and hospitable hearts’ to refugees from Ukraine

Feb 21, 2022

By CNA Staff

Officials believe that up to a million Ukrainians could seek refuge in Poland. Read more

Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, pictured at Vatican Radio, July 8, 2019.

Major archbishop urges Ukrainians to be united in face of ‘great threat’

Feb 15, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Feb. 16 will be observed as a “day of unity” in Ukraine. Read more

Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki.

Polish Catholic leader asks Ukraine and Russia’s bishops to join in prayer for peace

Feb 15, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

‘Every war is madness,’ Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki said in a letter to the Catholic and Orthodox bishops. Read more

Military chaplaincy in eastern Ukraine, 2015.

Ukrainian Catholic bishops in US beg prayers for peace in their homeland

Feb 14, 2022

By Christine Rousselle

The bishops of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the United States issued a statement on Saturday requesting prayers as the... Read more

His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk.

Major archbishop: Church offers hope amid ‘very dangerous escalation’ in Ukraine crisis

Feb 4, 2022

By CNA Staff

Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk was speaking at an Aid to the Church in Need online event. Read more

Pope Francis is calling for prayers for a peaceful resolution to the crisis in Ukraine.

Just War Theory and Ukraine: Would war with Russia be in accord with Catholic teaching?

Jan 27, 2022

By CNA Staff

The prospect of war between Ukraine and Russia, and the potential involvement of the United States, brings with it questions... Read more

Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, meets Pope Francis, Nov. 11, 2021.

Major archbishop: Pope Francis’ day of prayer for Ukraine brings ‘hope of peace’

Jan 26, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

‘We are grateful to the pope, who heard our voice,’ he told CNA. Read more

Pope Francis during his general audience in the Paul VI Hall on Jan. 26, 2022.

Pope Francis on day of prayer for Ukraine: ‘Please, no more war’

Jan 26, 2022

By Courtney Mares

‘I invite you to pray for peace in Ukraine and to do so often throughout this day.’ Read more