As war continues to ravage Ukraine, the Prefect of the Dicastery for Charity, Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín, traveled to the Ukrainian cities of Zaporizhzhia and Poltava to deliver Pope Leo XIV’s assistance and message of solidarity. Facing relentless bombardment and harsh living conditions, the mission highlighted both the acute suffering of vulnerable populations—especially children—and the resilient humanitarian efforts supporting them on the ground.
During his visit to Zaporizhzhia, an area under constant air raid alarms, drone attacks, and artillery fire, Archbishop Marín witnessed firsthand the severe hunger gripping the region. Accompanied by delegates including Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas and local religious leaders, the Prefect celebrated Mass at the Cathedral of the Merciful Father before joining the Albertine Fathers to distribute daily essentials to those in need.
Amid freezing temperatures, nearly 2,000 residents queued for bread and canned food provided by the religious community. Among the crowds were many children standing alone with empty bags, forced by the hardship of war to fend for themselves at a young age. Every week, the Albertine Fathers and volunteers feed approximately 10,000 people using an oven donated last year by Pope Leo XIV through the Apostolic Almonry. Demonstrating how charity transcends religious divides, the same equipment is shared on alternate days with Protestant groups to help nourish their own surrounding communities.