Jubilee of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church: His Beatitude Sviatoslav Invites the Faithful to the Vatican for a Pilgrimage
On June 28, 2025, a unique event will take place in the Vatican as part of the Jubilee Year—a pilgrimage of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church to the tomb of St. Peter the Apostle. This pilgrimage, which forms part of the Jubilee Year of Hope announced by Pope Francis, will be a historic moment for our entire Church.
On Saturday, June 28, at 1:00 p.m. Rome time, a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in the Ukrainian Byzantine Rite will be celebrated in St. Peter’s Basilica. All the bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church from around the world, led by His Beatitude Sviatoslav, will take part in the Liturgy. Following this, the Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church will officially begin in Rome.
This pilgrimage will be an opportunity to bear witness to the unity of our Church, which today is a global community. As noted by His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the UGCC, during the “Open Church” program, numerous pilgrims from Canada, the United States, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, and Western Europe are already preparing to travel to Rome. Due to the challenges caused by the ongoing war in Ukraine, not all who wish to attend will be able to do so in person. However, all the faithful will be able to join in prayer through a live broadcast on Zhyve TV.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav also announced that he has personally invited Pope Leo XIV to greet the pilgrims of the UGCC on the day of the pilgrimage. The Pope has received an official written invitation, and our Church awaits his presence with heartfelt anticipation.
“I invite all our faithful who are able to take part in this pilgrimage. Prepare yourselves spiritually through confession, prayer, and fasting. A special sign of this pilgrimage will be the opportunity to pass through the Holy Doors of St. Peter’s Basilica and receive a plenary indulgence,” said His Beatitude Sviatoslav. “Even in the Vatican, they must see that together we are many and we cannot be defeated. We are the largest Eastern Catholic Church, a global Church that unites a multimillion-strong Ukrainian community around the world. I extend this invitation to all our faithful: come and see.”
For more information on how to participate, register, and orgainise your travel, please contact your local UGCC eparchy, the organizing committee, or visit the UGCC Jubilee Year website.
The UGCC Department for Information
