Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace, presenting him with gifts, the prayers and gratitude of the Ukrainian people, and a list of hundreds of Ukrainian prisoners of war held in Russia. During their audience—their fifth meeting to date—Archbishop Shevchuk expressed deep appreciation for the Holy See’s continuous humanitarian efforts, including ongoing appeals for an end to the war, efforts to secure the release of hostages, and initiatives aimed at returning displaced Ukrainian children.
A central point of gratitude was Pope Leo XIV’s intervention in humanitarian crises, specifically his recent telephone calls to Presidents Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin appealing for a truce in the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky, where civilians face severe shortages of basic necessities. Archbishop Shevchuk highlighted the Holy See’s active diplomacy, pointing to four diplomatic missions to Kyiv and Moscow led by Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher. Notably, Cardinal Zuppi’s access to a Russian detention facility marked the first time a representative of an international institution was permitted to visit Ukrainian prisoners of war in Russia.
Looking ahead to the severe challenges of the approaching winter and the widespread damage to Ukraine’s infrastructure, Archbishop Shevchuk requested the continued support and solidarity of the global Catholic community. In response, Papal Almoner Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín is scheduled to visit Ukraine from October 27 to 30 to deliver food, medicine, and essential relief supplies, serving as a direct expression of the Pope’s closeness to the suffering population.