President Volodymyr Zelensky declared the late Pope Francis one of the world’s leading religious leaders and expressed his sadness to the Ukrainian Church and the Council of Religious Organizations.
“First of all, I would like to thank this conference, and once again, on behalf of Ukraine, as one of the true religious leaders of the world has left, Pope Francis.
He also offered Easter and Passover greetings, highlighting the importance of unity during wartime.
“We didn’t even have the opportunity to personally greet the previous holidays, including Passover, so let us do that now. This unity – perhaps that’s the most important thing we have – help us stand firm against the invaders,” the Ukrainian president said.
In a post on X, Zelenskyy also thanked her prayers for peace, especially in Ukraine, and her ability to provide hope and unity in times of suffering.
“Ukraine needs the support of its religious community – spiritual diplomacy, values diplomacy always helps,” he said.
Zelensky last met Pope Francis at the Vatican on October 11, 2024 during a diplomatic trip across Europe.
As an iconic gesture, Zelenskyy presented an oil painting entitled “The Pope” “The Bucha Massacre – The Story of Marichka.” The artwork commemorates the tragic events in Bucha, northwest of Kiev, which became a symbol of civilian suffering after the Russian occupation early in the 2022 invasion.
Pope Francis frequently spoke of the war between Russia and Ukraine, consistently condemning violence and defending a peaceful solution. However, some of his statements have sparked criticism within Ukraine, claiming that detractors are believed to be underestimating Russia’s role in the conflict.
In his Sunday address, December 15, 2024, Pope Francis once again called for peace, describing both Russia and Ukraine as “brother countries.”
Zelenki’s comments on the Pope’s death follow Russia’s continued attack on Ukraine over the weekend, despite Putin declaring an Easter ceasefire.
The Ukrainian president has alleged that Russia has violated the ceasefire more than 2,900 times, conducts 96 assault operations along the frontline, and fires Ukrainian jobs more than 1,800 times.
Regional officials in the southern region of Herson in Ukraine reported three people died over the weekend.
On Tuesday, Russian drones struck Odesa, a Ukrainian port city, and the slipping bombs massacred Zaporijazia, local authorities said.
