In the Vatican, Ukrainian Military Chaplains Take Part in the International Anniversary of Armed Forces and Security Services
On February 8–9, 2025, with the blessing of Bishop Bohdan Manyshyn, head of the Department of Military Chaplaincy of the UGCC Patriarchal Curia, a group of Ukrainian pilgrims attended the celebration of the anniversary of the Armed Forces, Police and Security Forces in the Vatican.
The pilgrimage was attended by military chaplains of the UGCC: Fr. Ivan Isayovych, Fr. Vasyl Hasynets and Fr. Oleh Ladniuk, who have been performing dedicated service to Ukrainian soldiers on a volunteer basis for 10 years, along with the Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Sokal-Zhovkva, Bishop Mychajlo Koltun and Deputy Head of the Department of Military Chaplaincy of the Patriarchal Curia, Fr. Andriy Zelinsky, S. J.
This was reported by the Department of Military Chaplaincy.
Over two days, representatives of law enforcement agencies from more than 100 countries, along with their chaplains, reflected on the essence of their vocation and mission which they fulfill every day, standing in defense of truth and justice, peace and freedom. The opening ceremony of the anniversary took place on February 8 in the Piazza del Popolo in the center of Rome with the participation of Guido Crosetto, Minister of Defense of Italy, General Luciano Portolano, Chief of Staff of the Republican Defense Forces, and other representatives of the Italian military command, together with Catholic military bishops from around the world. In his opening speech, Archbishop Santo Marciano, Military Ordinary for Italy, greeted the guests from Ukraine in a special way and expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all Ukrainian military chaplains.
The Sunday Mass on February 9 at the Vatican was led by Pope Francis in concelebration with Cardinal Robert Prevost, Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, Archbishop Gintaras Grusas, Archbishop of Vilnius, Military Ordinary of the Republic of Lithuania and President of the Council of Bishops’ Conferences of Europe, and Archbishop Santo Mariano, Military Ordinary for Italy.
During the sermon, the Holy Father addressed the hundreds of representatives of the law enforcement agencies gathered in St. Peter’s Square with special gratitude for their service to the common good and made a request: “I ask you to be vigilant: be vigilant against the temptation of cultivating the spirit of war; be vigilant not to be seduced by the myth of power and the roar of arms; be vigilant not to be infected by the poison of hate propaganda…”.
During the Angelus prayer after the solemn Mass, the Pope reminded military personnel of all countries that their “armed service should be carried out solely for the purpose of legitimate defense, never to impose their own dominance over other peoples, in strict observance of international conventions on conflict resolution and, above all, with sacred respect for human life and creation.”
Pope Francis defined the mission of military chaplains in special words, reminding that its essence is a “priestly presence” among the military: “They do not serve—as it has unfortunately unfolded throughout history—to bless corrupt military actions. No. They abide among you as the presence of Christ, who seeks to accompany you, to listen and to be there to support you in your daily mission. Providing moral and spiritual support, they walk alongside you, helping you to fulfill your duties in the light of the Gospel and for the mission of evangelization.”
