We will remind, on August 25, 2024 Pope Francis made an address in which he mentioned the law № 8371 adopted in the Ukrainian Parliament, aimed at banning the activities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The Pope emphasized that no church in the world should be banned, as it performs prayer directed against evil and unrighteousness. In his turn, Volodymyr Zelenskyy explained such a reaction of the Pontiff by “Russian influence”.
“Discussions regarding the Ukrainian Orthodox Church”: The head of the Department for External Church Relations of the Russian Orthodox Church held a meeting with the Pope
On July 26, 2025, a meeting took place at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican between the head of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, and the head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV. Among other things, the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church was discussed during the meeting. This was reported by the Communications Service of the Department for External Church Relations of the Russian Orthodox Church.
«During the conversation, numerous issues were raised concerning the state of Orthodox-Catholic dialogue, as well as conflicts taking place in the world, including in Ukraine and the Middle East. In particular, Metropolitan Anthony told Pope Leo XIV about the persecution to which the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is currently subjected,» — the ROC’s Department for External Church Relations said in a statement.
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