Video-message of the Head of the UGCC on the 167th Week of Full-Scale War, April 27, 2025
Christ is risen!
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ!
It has been 167 weeks since the Russian aggressor launched a large-scale, horrendous, and unjust war against our peaceful, independent Ukrainian state and our people. This week will likely go down in history as a week of momentous events, a week marked by both joy and sorrow.
Last week, we celebrated Holy Easter. We all heard how the aggressor country announced a so-called Easter truce, however, its actions were diametrically opposed. Not only did the war not stop, but the residents of peaceful cities and villages in Ukraine witnessed a blatant escalation of military operations and strikes on our cities and villages.
This week, we were affected by two terrible tragedies. Our golden-domed city of Kyiv was the site of a tragedy. A combined attack on Kyiv resulted in the deaths of 12 people, with more than 90 of our peaceful residents seriously injured. On Friday, April 25, Kyiv observed a day of mourning.
On almost the same day, another similar horrific strike was carried out on the city of Marganets in the Dnipropetrovsk region, killing nine people and injuring 54. The Russians deliberately struck a city bus with a drone attack, killing innocent people.
Nevertheless, this week was also a week of joy, as we solemnly celebrated the Resurrection of Christ. All our churches were brimming with worshippers. We witnessed Christ’s resurrection in Ukraine, particularly this week.
Once again, I appeal to all world, religious, state, and public leaders: let us do everything to stop the war in Ukraine, to silence the weapons, to stop the murderous hand that continues to kill! At the same time, with Easter vigor and joy, we want to say to the whole world: Ukraine stands, Ukraine fights, Ukraine prays.
Another historic event marked this week. On April 21, our beloved Pope Francis passed away. We spent this week in prayer for his eternal rest, remembering him as the Pope of mercy and the Pope of hope.
We remember how he proclaimed the Catholic Church to be an open Church that embraces and welcomes everyone. He called the Church a field hospital that heals wounds and soothes the pain of those wounded by this earthly, sinful, and all-too-human life. But this year, we are also experiencing the Year of Hope, the Year of Mercy, which was inaugurated by him, a year that gives us a glimpse into the future.
He will truly go down in history as the Pope who prayed for Ukraine, who did his utmost as Christ’s vicar on earth, as the successor of the Apostle Peter, who did everything in his power to stop this war. He constantly said, “When humanity starts wars, it always loses, because after every war, the world is worse than it was before the war began.”
We entrust Pope Francis, the Supreme Pontiff, into God’s hands.
Yesterday, I had the honor of leading our Church’s delegation at the funeral of Pope Francis. I was very glad to welcome the delegation from Ukraine, led by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in front of St. Peter’s Basilica. We were together with the Universal Church, which was bidding farewell to its father.
We saw how on this day Rome, and in particular the tomb of the Apostle Peter, became truly the capital of the world, where leaders from around the world gathered and hundreds of thousands of people arrived. The funeral of Pope Francis demonstrated the significance not only of the ministry of the successor of the Apostle Peter, but also of the witness of the Universal Church in the contemporary circumstances of humanity.
The meeting between US President Donald Trump and our President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in St. Peter’s Basilica was noteworthy. It was a moving meeting at the tomb of the Apostle Peter. We pray that the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of the Risen Christ, will inspire the minds and hearts of contemporary people and leaders of nations with the spirit of peace.
Today we proclaim: Lord, we entrust Pope Francis to your hands; we entrust the future of the Universal Church to your hands.
Let us pray for the cardinals who will gather in conclave to elect the new head of the Catholic Church. We accompany in prayer all those who today suffer from war in various parts of the world. I call on all of you to pray for the election of the new Pope.
Today, here in Rome, at the tomb of the apostles Peter and Paul, at the origins of Christianity, we pray to the Risen Savior for peace in Ukraine.
We thank our soldiers, men and women, who are defending that peace in Ukraine, defending the peaceful sleep of our children, elderly, and women. We pray: Lord, bless our long-suffering Ukraine with Your just heavenly peace.
The blessing of the Lord be upon you, through His grace and love for mankind, always, now and forever, and for the ages of ages. Amen.
Christ is risen!
