In a powerful statement delivered during his weekly prayers, Pope Francis denounced the Ukrainian government’s decision to ban a Russia-linked branch of the country’s Orthodox Church. The pontiff emphasized the importance of protecting places of worship, urging authorities to respect the freedom of those who pray. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who recently enacted the controversial law, met with the pope earlier this year at the G7 summit.
The conflict between Ukraine and the Russian church dates back to 2014 but has intensified following Russia’s invasion in 2022. Zelensky’s approval of the ban on the Russian-linked Orthodox Church coincided with Ukraine’s independence day celebrations. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church had already broken ties with the Moscow patriarchy in 2022, although Ukrainian officials accuse some clergy members of maintaining allegiance to Russia.
Pope Francis expressed his ongoing sadness over the violence in Ukraine, which has suffered greatly since the Russian invasion. His words serve as a reminder of the importance of religious freedom and the need to protect sacred spaces during times of conflict.
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