Ukraine: Archbishop Gallagher visits Maidan memorial
On the final day of his visit to Ukraine, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher meets President Volodymyr Zelensky and acting Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiha in Kyiv, visits the Maidan memorial, and holds talks with the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations.
Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher has concluded his five-day mission to Ukraine as Pope Leo XIV’s special envoy, ending the visit in Kyiv with meetings with President Volodymyr Zelensky and acting Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiha, as well as a visit to the Maidan memorial.
The Archbishop laid a bouquet of roses at the memorial, which commemorates those killed during the 2013–2014 Revolution of Dignity, when protesters died in Kyiv’s Independence Square while calling for closer ties with Europe and political reform, as well as those who have lost their lives in the war that has followed.
During talks with the acting foreign minister, the Holy See reaffirmed its closeness to the Ukrainian people and expressed hope for a just and lasting peace.
Anniversary Renewal Structures of Latin Rite Catholic Church
The final day followed several days of pastoral and diplomatic engagements across the country. Archbishop Gallagher travelled to Berdychiv to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the restoration of the Latin Rite Catholic Church in Ukraine.
There he presided at Mass before thousands of pilgrims, encouraging them to remain steadfast in faith and hope despite the hardships of war, while assuring them of the Pope’s closeness and prayers.
Throughout the visit, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations also met bishops, clergy and religious, visited the Greek Catholic Cathedral of the Resurrection in Kyiv, and took part in meetings focused on the humanitarian impact of the conflict and ongoing efforts to support those affected.
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The Head of the UGCC in Berdychiv to Archbishop Gallagher: “Please Convey to Pope Leo XIV the Love and Devotion of the Ukrainian People”
All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations
On Saturday evening, the Archbishop met representatives of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations. They outlined the challenges faced by religious communities and the wider population, while noting the positive cooperation among Ukraine’s different Christian Churches and faith groups. They said the war remains the country’s central challenge, with many people exhausted by the conflict, while reaffirming their desire for a just peace.
Council members also thanked the Holy See and the Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, for their continued support and humanitarian concern. They stressed the importance of ongoing spiritual solidarity and prayer, as well as continued diplomatic efforts to help bring the conflict to an end.
Exemption of religious from army conscription
The Council also highlighted the recent exemption of ordained ministers from military conscription, describing it as recognition by the Ukrainian authorities of the essential pastoral and social role of the Churches.
Archbishop Gallagher welcomed the progress, noting the significance of such cooperation, particularly in wartime.
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