Ukraine’s ambassador to the Holy See has hinted that a possible papal trip to his country could happen before the Pope’s visit to Kazakhstan in mid-September, when he is expected to meet with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill.
Newsroom (12/08/2022 9:30 AM Gaudium Press) Pope Francis met with the Ukrainian Ambassador to the Holy See, Andrii Yurash, on Saturday for a private conversation at the Vatican.
In a tweet sent after the Aug. 6 meeting, Yurash quoted the Pope as telling him, “I am very close to (Ukraine) & want to express this closeness through my visit to (Ukraine).”
Yurash called these “important words” from the Pope and said that “(Ukraine) for many years & especially since (the) start of (the) war has been waiting for (the) Pope & I’ll be happy to greet him before his trip to Kazakhstan.”
In a separate tweet, Yurash said his meetings with Pope Francis are “always inspirational. Especially when there is a chance to discuss and promote subjects that (are) ‘on table’ for a long time, like Pope’s visit to Ukraine.”
“(Ukraine) wants to meet and greet His Holiness as quick as possible, even before his trip to (Kazakhstan),” Yurash said.
Pope Francis has repeatedly stated his desire to visit Kyiv and said several times that a trip there is “on the table,” However, such an outing would be complicated, and the Vatican must find the right moment.
Pope Francis’s meeting with Yurash came the day after he held a private meeting with Russian Orthodox Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, president of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department of Foreign Affairs – he essentially serves as the patriarchate’s foreign minister.
Both meetings came just days after the Vatican announced the Pope’s visit to Kazakhstan, suggesting that not only is the Pope likely to meet with Kirill, but he could also be trying to make good on his intention to visit Ukraine.
Should the Pope and Kirill meet, it would likely be on the second day of the Pope’s visit, during the congress’s scheduled time for private meetings among the various interfaith leaders.
If Pope Francis can’t visit Russia, a conversation with Kirill could be his next best option if he intends to visit Ukraine but doesn’t want to alienate the Russians or give the impression that he is taking sides. In that line, the Vatican has long practiced a diplomatic strategy of neutrality.
A quick visit to Ukraine could also be a way to avoid sending the wrong message to Ukrainians who might be inclined to see the meeting as a betrayal. People in Ukraine have been critical of past Francis’ remarks mentioning that there are no clear “good guys” and “bad guys” in the conflict, suggesting that arming Ukraine is a mistake.
– Raju Hasmukh
(With files from Crux Now)