Ukrainian Community in Rome Meets with Minister of National Unity of Ukraine
On April 28, 2025, a meeting took place at Santa Sophia Cathedral in Rome between the Ukrainian community in Italy and Oleksiy Chernyshov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Unity of Ukraine. The event was part of the government official’s official visit to the Italian Republic.
This was reported by the press service of Santa Sophia Cathedral in Rome.
At the start of the meeting, Father Marko Semehen, rector of the cathedral, introduced the minister to the history of the church and the figure of Patriarch Josyf Slipyj. The participants then prayed in memory of those who have died as a result of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Bishop Hryhoriy Komar, Apostolic Administrator for Ukrainian Catholics of the Eastern Rite in Italy, presented Mr. Chernyshov with books about Patriarch Josyf Slipyj and a commemorative medal marking the 40th anniversary of his passing. The same award was given to Yaroslav Melnyk, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Italy.
During a meeting with the community in the cathedral’s assembly hall, Mr. Chernyshov outlined the activities of the newly established Ministry of National Unity of Ukraine and announced an initiative to create a Center for Unity in Italy—a space to support Ukrainians living abroad.
In his welcoming remarks, Bishop Hryhoriy Komar noted that members of the Ukrainian community in Italy feel a responsibility to represent Ukraine and its culture. “Here in Italy, Ukrainians act as ambassadors of our state—our homeland—on Italian soil. And they strive to fulfill this mission very well,” added the apostolic administrator.
The participants discussed protecting the information space, preserving Ukrainian identity, developing the diaspora, and legislative initiatives regarding multiple citizenship. Mr. Chernyshov also emphasized the central role of the UGCC in preserving Ukrainian spiritual identity.
“The unity of the Ukrainian people is a key task of the Ministry of National Unity of Ukraine. Wherever Ukrainians are today, we are one nation,” the Deputy Prime Minister concluded.
