Headline: Pope Francis Accepts Invitation to Visit Ukraine, but Timing Uncertain
Subheadline: While a papal visit is expected, it’s unlikely to happen in 2025, says the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
Article:
In a significant development for Ukraine, Pope Francis has accepted an invitation to visit the country. However, the exact timing of this historic visit remains unclear. In an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), His Beatitude Sviatoslav (Shevchuk), confirmed that the Pope had received the invitation and that UGKC has assurances it was accepted.
"Currently, there’s no specific time set for the Pope’s visit to Ukraine, not even in 2025," said His Beatitude Sviatoslav. "Pope Francis sometimes likes to make surprises, announcing a visit only a month before his intended arrival. Therefore, we enter this new year with hope, hoping that a just peace will eventually prevail in Ukraine."
Earlier this month, Pope Francis, in his Christmas message, urged Ukraine and Russia to engage in dialogue and restart negotiations to achieve a "just and lasting peace." This call to peace echoed his previous appeals for an end to the conflict, which has devastated Ukraine since 2014.
Notably, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has met with the Pope twice since the beginning of the war – in May and October 2023 – indicating the strong relationship between Ukraine and the Holy See.
As the world awaits more information on the anticipated papal visit, one thing remains certain: the people of Ukraine yearn for the hope and spiritual uplift that a visit from the leader of the Catholic Church could bring to their embattled nation.
