Overview
- Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher ended a five‑day mission as Pope Leo XIV’s special envoy with meetings in Kyiv that included President Volodymyr Zelensky, acting Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiha, and a wreath‑laying at the Maidan memorial.
- He travelled to Berdychiv to preside over a large Mass marking the 35th anniversary of the Latin Rite’s restoration in Ukraine and spoke directly to thousands of pilgrims about faith and the Pope’s prayers.
- Gallagher met bishops, clergy and the All‑Ukrainian Council of Churches, which described the war as Ukraine’s central challenge and emphasized close cooperation among faith groups in relief and pastoral work.
- The envoy inspected war damage in Kyiv, was briefed on rises in civilian casualties and humanitarian shortfalls, and publicly urged sustained international relief and psychosocial support for affected communities.
- The visit reinforced the Holy See’s blend of pastoral outreach and quiet diplomacy, welcomed a reported exemption of ordained ministers from conscription, and raised hopes for further Vatican support for prisoner and child‑return efforts and diplomatic initiatives.