On Ukraine’s Independence Day, Pope Leo XIV assured President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of his prayers for the war-torn nation, urging that “the clamor of arms may fall silent and give way to dialogue.”
In a letter shared by Zelenskyy on the social media platform X, the pope expressed sorrow over the suffering caused by the ongoing conflict and pledged spiritual closeness. “With a heart wounded by the violence that ravages your land, I address you on this day of your national feast,” Pope Leo wrote.
The pontiff prayed for all those wounded, bereaved, or displaced, entrusting Ukraine “to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace.” He asked that “the path to peace for the good of all” may be opened.
Responding online, Zelenskyy thanked the pope for his solidarity. “I am sincerely grateful to His Holiness for his thoughtful words, prayer, and attention to the people of Ukraine amid devastating war,” the president posted. “All of our hopes and efforts are for our nation to achieve the long-awaited peace.”
The papal message was among several Independence Day greetings Zelenskyy received from world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Chinese leader Xi Jinping, French President Emmanuel Macron, and King Charles III of Britain.
Ukraine’s Independence Day, marked every August 24, commemorates its 1991 declaration of independence from the Soviet Union. This year, it came just two days after Pope Leo XIV called for a global day of fasting and prayer for peace on the feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
Latest News
