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

Papal almoner Cardinal Konrad Krajewski.

Pope Francis’ representative in Ukraine shot at while delivering aid

Sep 17, 2022

By CNA Staff

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 at the house of the Capuchin friars in Slovakia with Brother Martin Azzopardi (second from the right).

Ukrainian refugees say they 'found new family' with friars in Slovakia

Sep 1, 2022

By Charlotte Evans

Ukrainian refugees in Slovakia have spoken about their sorrow at the ongoing conflict in their country and voiced gratitude for... Read more

Pope Francis speaks at his general audience in Paul VI Hall on Aug. 10, 2022.

Vatican: Pope Francis’ Ukraine War comments not a ‘political stance’

Aug 30, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Holy See said Pope Francis’ recent comments on a car bombing that killed the daughter of an ally of... Read more

Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill makes the sign of the cross during the Easter Mass at the Christ The Saviour Cathedral on April 24, 2022 in Moscow, Russia.

Report: Patriarch Kirill will not meet Pope Francis in Kazakhstan

Aug 25, 2022

By CNA Staff

It was hoped the two religious leaders would meet to discuss a peaceful resolution to the six-month-long war in Ukraine. Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in the Vatican, Aug. 24, 2022

Six months into Ukraine War, Pope Francis asks Mary to bring peace

Aug 24, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis made a special appeal for peace between Ukraine and Russia at Wednesday's end of his general audience. Read more

Pope Francis speaking in the Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta, on July 26, 2022.

Pope Francis in Canada: How Ukrainian migrants and indigenous peoples can learn from each other

Jul 27, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The history of indigenous peoples in Canada speaks to the plight of Ukrainian immigrants, says this bishop in Edmonton.  Read more

Archbishop Gintaras Grušas, accompanied by Father Andriy Zelinsky of the military chaplaincy, met wounded Ukrainian soldiers and their families.

'The Catholic Church remembers Ukraine': Archbishop visits wounded soldiers

Jul 21, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

Before visiting recently released prisoners of war in Ukraine, the resident of the Council of the Bishops’ Conferences of Europe... Read more

Pope Francis and Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk.

Pope Francis assures Ukrainian Greek Catholic bishops of prayers, 'involvement' to end war

Jul 11, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis said he is praying for Ukraine and working behind the scenes to help suffering Ukrainians.   Read more

Pope Francis prays the Angelus from the window of the Apostolic Palace on July 3, 2022.

Pope Francis: Evangelization is not ‘personal activism’ but a witness of love

Jul 3, 2022

By Courtney Mares

In his Angelus address, the pope posed a question: “How do we bring the good news of the Gospel to... Read more

A photograph taken on June 28, 2022 shows charred goods in a grocery store of the destroyed Amstor mall in Kremenchuk, one day after it was hit by a Russian missile strike according to Ukrainian authorities.

Pope Francis condemns ‘barbaric attack’ on Ukraine mall

Jun 29, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

A Russian missile hit a shopping mall June 27, killing at least 18, Ukrainian authorities said. Read more

Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church.

UK government sanctions head of Russian Orthodox Church

Jun 16, 2022

By CNA Staff

The Foreign Office said that Patriarch Kirill was being ‘sanctioned for his support and endorsement of Putin’s war.’ Read more

Pope Francis’ general audience in St. Peter’s Square, June 8, 2022.

Pope Francis: Russia’s use of mercenaries in Ukraine is ‘monstrous’

Jun 14, 2022

By CNA Staff

In a new interview, the pope suggested the Ukraine war was ‘perhaps somehow either provoked or not prevented.’ Read more

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen meets Pope Francis at the Vatican, June 10, 2022.

Pope Francis discusses Ukraine war with European Commission head

Jun 10, 2022

By CNA Staff

Ursula von der Leyen also met with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin. Read more

Poland’s bishops celebrate Mass in Zakopane on June 7, 2002.

Poland’s Catholic bishops: Many Ukrainians ‘will not be able to survive’ without help

Jun 8, 2022

By Justyna Galant

More than three million people have fled from Ukraine to Poland since Feb. 24. Read more

Relatives, friends and comrades of Ukrainian soldier Eduardo Trepilchenko, who was killed on the Eastern front battling the Russian invasion , attend his funeral at St Michael's Cathedral on May 25, 2022 in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Pope Francis calls 100 days of war in Ukraine ‘negation of God’s dream’

Jun 5, 2022

By Katie Yoder

During his Regina Coeli address, the pope urged world leaders to unite against war and work toward solutions. Read more

Pope Francis embraces a child during his meeting with participants in the Children's Train initiative at the Vatican on June 4, 2022.

Boy asks Pope Francis: 'Can you come to Ukraine to save all the children?'

Jun 5, 2022

By CNA Staff

The poignant exchange came during the pope's meeting with 160 schoolchildren on June 4. Read more

A young girl draws on the wall of a destroyed house in the village of Andriivka, Kyiv region, on June 3, 2022 on the 100th day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Sergei Chuzavkov/AFP via Getty Images)

Bishop of Kyiv after 100 days of war: 'Please, let us not stop praying for Ukraine' 

Jun 3, 2022

By Justyna Galant

The fighting in Ukraine has entered a new phase, and some are losing interest —and hope. Read more

Pope Francis’ general audience in St. Peter’s Square, June 1, 2022.

Pope Francis: Do not use wheat as a ‘weapon of war’ in Ukraine

Jun 1, 2022

By Courtney Mares

‘Please do not use wheat, a staple food, as a weapon of war,’ he urged at the general audience. Read more

Pope Francis prays the rosary for peace in Rome’s Basilica of St. Mary Major, May 31, 2022.

Pope Francis prays rosary for peace in Ukraine and around the world

May 31, 2022

By CNA Staff

The pope meditated on the Sorrowful Mysteries of the rosary in union with Marian shrines around the world. Read more

Pope Francis prays before Our Lady of Fatima May 13, 2015.

Ukraine war: Catholics invited to join Pope Francis in praying rosary for peace

May 26, 2022

By CNA Staff

The Vatican said: ‘All the faithful in every part of the world are invited to support Pope Francis in his... Read more