“The Church Restores People”: His Beatitude Sviatoslav Discusses Healing the Wounds of War in Ukraine with Japanese Ambassador
On June 3, 2025, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, met with Mr. Masashi Nakagome, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ukraine, at the Patriarchal Residence in Kyiv. The meeting, held at the request of the Japanese diplomat, focused on the UGCC’s role in shaping national consciousness, strengthening Ukraine’s statehood, and its mission in society during wartime.
During the conversation, His Beatitude Sviatoslav shared insights from his recent meeting with Pope Leo XIV, highlighting the Holy Father’s message to the diplomatic corps: that true peace is always associated with justice and truth. They also discussed the role of diplomacy in ending the war and restraining the aggressor.
The Head of the UGCC expressed gratitude to Japan for its steadfast support of Ukraine and referenced the open letter by Ukrainian intellectuals titled “Do not appease evil,” which articulates key points about the nature of Russian aggression.
“Russia’s war against Ukraine is not about territory,” emphasized His Beatitude Sviatoslav. “Russia wants to return to the table of great powers as a partner in order to once again interfere in the internal affairs of other states, corrupt politicians, and manipulate economies through the lifting of sanctions.”
A significant part of the discussion focused on the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. His Beatitude Sviatoslav reported that 5 million Ukrainians are in urgent need of food aid, and 4 million have lost their homes. He stressed that it was church institutions that were able to respond effectively to the crisis, preventing it from turning into a full-scale tragedy—no one in Ukraine died from cold, hunger, or other humanitarian causes.
Ambassador Nakagome praised the high level of public trust in the Church and emphasized its crucial role in helping Ukrainians cope with the trauma of war. He noted that the Church’s role will become even more vital after the war ends. In the context of preparations for the upcoming Rome conference on Ukraine’s reconstruction, His Beatitude observed that while most participants focus on rebuilding infrastructure and housing, the Church highlights the need to “rebuild the people of Ukraine themselves.”
The Primate also shared the UGCC’s experience in social ministry and expressed his readiness to deepen cooperation with Japanese partners in the humanitarian sphere.
At the conclusion of the meeting, His Beatitude Sviatoslav presented Ambassador Nakagome with an illustrated book about the history and present-day mission of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
