Pope Leo XIV Receives UGCC Delegation on Jubilee Visit to Rome

On June 28, 2025, Pope Leo XIV held an audience with a delegation from the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), including its head, Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, and other representatives. The visit took place as part of the UGCC’s Jubilee Pilgrimage to Rome, according to the official UGCC website.

During the audience, the pontiff welcomed the pilgrims, emphasizing that they came from “a beautiful land, rich in Christian faith, abundantly watered with the blood of martyrs who preserved their fidelity to the Apostle Peter and his successors at the cost of their lives.” He highlighted “Ukraine’s rich spiritual heritage, shaped through trials and persecution.”

“Your pilgrimage is a sign of the desire to renew faith, strengthen communion with the Bishop of Rome, and bear witness to a hope that does not disappoint,” the Pope stated.

As part of the visit, the Ukrainian delegation presented Pope Leo XIV with an icon of the Virgin Oranta, depicting both St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican and the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection in Kyiv. The icon was created specifically for the Jubilee Pilgrimage and adorned with the official logos of the jubilee year.

Pope Leo XIV also greeted the UGCC bishops gathered in Rome for their annual Synod.

Earlier reports indicated that more than half of Ukrainian citizens believe Pope Leo XIV could play an important role in peace negotiations with Russia. This is according to a survey conducted by the SOCIS sociological center in early June 2025