Santiago Taboada Castillo
As the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine escalates, Pope Leo XIV has sent the Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, to Ukraine.
But what was the reason? To commemorate the 35th anniversary of the reestablishment of the Latin Rite Catholic Church in the country, as well as the 25th anniversary of St. John Paul II's apostolic trip to Ukraine.
In a letter Pope Leo sent to Gallagher, he highlighted the testimony of Ukrainian Catholics in the face of Soviet persecution.
The pope also recalled a letter that Pope Gregory IX sent to the clergy and faithful of the Latin Rite who lived in what is now the Ukraine. The 13th century pontiff encouraged them not to be distressed “by the assaults of wicked men.”
Gallagher has been tasked by the pope with conveying his proximity and presiding over the liturgies celebrated at the National Shrine in Berdychiv to encourage the Ukrainians to pray for peace and to remain faithful.
Ukraine has just weathered a wave of Russian attacks in Zaporizhzhia and launched the largest naval drone attack in history. In addition, on Wednesday, July 15, the country welcomed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, as the process of Ukraine’s accession to the European Union is gaining momentum.
