Roman Oleksiv, a nine-year-old boy who was seriously burned in a Russian missile strike in Vinnytsia, Ukraine, meets Pope Francis for the third time at the Vatican. Roman was only seven when the attack occurred on July 14, 2022, killing 28 people, including his mother. He has become a symbol of resilience despite the severe burns he suffered. Roman’s recovery journey took him from Ukraine to Germany for extensive medical treatments, including skin grafts and surgeries. He has shared his story in the documentary series “Children of War.”
Roman first met Pope Francis on December 6, 2023, and then again on May 25, 2024. Today, on February 3, 2025, he visited the Pope without his gloves and mask, resting his head on the Pope’s shoulder. Roman was part of a delegation from “Alliance Unbroken Kids,” which supports war-affected children alongside other organizations. During the visit, Pope Francis listened to their stories and acknowledged the ongoing tragedy of war. Roman’s presence as a resilient survivor symbolizes hope amid the suffering caused by conflict.