His Beatitude Sviatoslav invited the Pope to come to Ukraine.

Pope Leo XIV invited the head of the UGCC to the Vatican

During one of the first private audiences of his pontificate, newly elected Pope Leo XIV received His Beatitude Sviatoslav, the Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. The Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church invited him to come to Ukraine. This was reported by "Hlavcom" citing the UGCC.

"During one of the first private audiences of his pontificate, Pope Leo XIV received His Beatitude Sviatoslav, the head of the UGCC. The meeting took place in the library of the Apostolic Palace," the message states.

The Head of the UGCC congratulated Pope Leo XIV on his election and thanked him for the first words and gestures he made regarding Ukraine. The Head of the UGCC told Pope Leo XIV that his calls for an end to the war are extremely important for the Ukrainian people.

"They are a true spiritual balm for the wounded soul of the Ukrainian people, bringing us to the memory of the international community and giving us a name that they want to take away and deny our right to exist," Sviatoslav noted.

The invitation of Pope Leo XIV to Ukraine

The Head of the UGCC invited Pope Leo XIV to make an Apostolic visit to Ukraine: "When the holy pope John Paul II came to us, Ukrainians believed that communism would never return to our land. Today we believe that the Pope's visit will help stop the war in Ukraine."

"Obviously, the Time and opportunity is determined by the Lord, but I consider it my duty to convey to you the invitation from millions of Ukrainians who are waiting for you," Sviatoslav emphasized.

Pope Leo XIV assured the head of the UGCC that he "is with the Ukrainian people. The Holy See will continue to promote and create all necessary conditions for dialogue and will accompany the Ukrainian people during this terrible time in history."

Pope Leo XIV expressed his readiness to act as a mediator in the negotiation process between Ukraine and Russia to end the war, which raises hopes for peace in the region.