Pope Leo XIV Meets Ukrainian Church Leader, Urges Peace and Prisoner Release

Last Updated May - 16 - 2025, 03:20 PM | Source : Fela News

In one of his first audiences, Pope Leo XIV meets Ukrainian Catholic leader, calls for peace and prisoner release amid Russia’s war. The Kyiv visit was deemed p

On Thursday, May 15, 2025, Pope Leo XIV held a private meeting at the Vatican with His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine—one of the first official audiences of his papacy. During the meeting, Shevchuk extended an invitation for the Pope to visit Ukraine and handed him a list of Ukrainian prisoners detained by Russia. Under Pope Francis, the Vatican had previously supported prisoner exchanges and advocated for the return of Ukrainian children relocated to Russian-occupied areas.

The Vatican did not issue a statement following the audience. However, since his election on May 8, Pope Leo has repeatedly called for a peaceful, negotiated end to Russia’s war in Ukraine. In his first Sunday address and in meetings with Eastern rite pilgrims, he expressed solidarity with Ukrainians and urged for justice and reconciliation.

“I carry in my heart the suffering of the beloved Ukrainian people,” Pope Leo said during his Sunday address. “Let every effort be made to achieve a genuine and lasting peace. Free the prisoners and reunite the children with their families.”

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, noted that talk of a papal visit to Kyiv was “premature,” although Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had raised the possibility during a phone call with the Pope on May 12.

Pope Leo, reaffirming the Vatican’s stance of diplomatic neutrality, has pledged to support dialogue between Russia and Ukraine. “The Holy See is always ready to bring enemies together to restore peace and dignity,” he stated on May 13.

Pope Leo’s formal installation will take place during a Mass on Sunday, with President Zelenskyy and U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance expected to attend. Last month, Zelenskyy had also met U.S. President Donald Trump at St. Peter’s Basilica during Pope Francis’ funeral.