Pope Francis has criticised Ukraine for banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) which has historically been tied to Russia. “Let those who want to pray be allowed to pray in what they consider their church” Pope Francis said. None of the warring parties have heeded the Pope’s pleas for the war to cease. Praying is Read more
Tauranga baker Harriet Campbell is on a mission to help in Ukraine. She wants to feed the hungry in the Ukrainian war zone. Not somewhere in the left-right-out corner either. On the front line. Just as she was in this picture (front) when she was packing medical supplies. This isn’t a sudden whim. She and Read more
On the stage in the Garden of the Empire Square in the Belém district of Lisbon , Mariia, 31, Natalia, 33, and Oksana, 28, sing a patriotic song in Ukrainian, holding the blue and yellow flag, in the admiring silence of the assembly. They come from Ternopil, in the western part of their country devastated Read more
At World Youth Day on Friday, politics and devotion met briefly. Crux reports on August 5 that during a semi-private meeting, a Russian Orthodox bishop expressed regret for the Ukraine war, thanking Francis for supporting the Ukrainian people. “I would like to thank you very much for all you have done for the Ukrainian people,” Read more
The Vatican hopes its help will enable young Russians and Ukrainians to enjoy a friendly encounter at World Youth Day (WYD) this week. Pope Francis will arrive in Lisbon, Portugal on Wednesday for the August 1-6 international WYD gathering. Delegations of young Russians and Ukrainians are expected to be there despite their countries being at Read more
Two Ukranian taxi drivers have found themselves delivering supplies to the neediest in Ukraine. Ivan Smyglia and Denys Kurpikov say Sister Lucia Murashko presented them with “no other option”. Murashko (pictured with the taxi drivers) is a member of the Sisters of the Order of St Basil the Great of the Ukrainian Catholic Church. She’s Read more
The head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church has defended President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s requests for long-range weapons, although a Vatican diplomat warned that arm supply is a complex topic. “I cannot morally endorse this request for arms because I don’t know all the details — but we cannot defend ourselves without arms,” said Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Read more
The mayor of Kyiv has said the city “cannot let Putin steal our Christmas” as Ukrainians prepare to celebrate the festive season with darkened trees. As Russian airstrikes knock out power and wreak havoc on critical infrastructure, Kyiv’s mayor Vitaly Klitschko said Christmas trees will be erected across the Ukrainian capital to mark Christmas and Read more
Pope Francis led leaders of world religions in an appeal to politicians to avert the threat of nuclear war over the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The Pope’s move came as Russian president, Vladimir Putin, oversaw a dramatic Russian military drill simulating a massive nuclear strike on Wednesday. Putin repeatedly claims that Ukraine was preparing a “dirty bomb”. Read more
Pope Francis has condemned Russia’s “relentless bombing” of Ukrainian cities, saying the attacks had unleashed a “hurricane of violence” on residents. Speaking to a large crowd at his weekly general audience in St Peter’s Square, Francis also appealed to “those who have the fate of the war in their hands” to stop. “My heart is Read more