Pope Leo XIV Welcomes Ukrainian Catholic Pilgrims in Rome

On Saturday, June 28, 2025, the Ukrainian Catholic Church experienced a deeply spiritual moment as nearly 7,000 faithful gathered at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican for their official Jubilee pilgrimage themed “Pilgrims of Hope.”

Guided by His Beatitude Sviatoslav, the Head of the UGCC, the pilgrims entered through the Holy Door, symbolizing their wish for renewal and deeper connection with the universal Church. During this solemn event, they were joined by Pope Leo XIV, who addressed them personally at the main altar.

In his heartfelt greeting, the Pope recognized the deep faith and suffering of the Ukrainian people amidst the ongoing war. He expressed his solidarity, stating he shares in the pain of those mourning the loss of loved ones and the distress of families of prisoners of war.

The Holy Father reflected on the role of faith in times of suffering, reminding the faithful that trusting in God's presence — even when answers seem elusive — is a powerful testament. He commended Ukraine’s enduring Christian witness, shaped by centuries of faithfulness, often amidst persecution and martyrdom.

“Faith does not eliminate suffering,” he said, “but it gives us the courage to believe that life, not death, will have the final word.”

Drawing inspiration from the Mother of God, cherished in Ukrainian tradition, the Pope urged everyone to remain steadfast in prayer, open to hope, and active in seeking peace. He described the pilgrimage as a sign of unity with the Successor of Peter and a powerful expression of spiritual resilience.

At the end of the gathering, Pope Leo XIV imparted his Apostolic Blessing and personally greeted the UGCC bishops in Rome for their Synod, along with a group of mothers of fallen Ukrainian soldiers, offering them words of comfort and compassion.

To commemorate the occasion, the Ukrainian pilgrims presented the Pope with a specially commissioned icon of the Mother of God Oranta, which beautifully features the images of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection in Kyiv, along with the emblem of the Jubilee Year. The icon symbolizes the spiritual connection between the Ukrainian Church and the Holy See.

This poignant encounter serves as a living testament to the unbroken ties of communion between the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church and the Apostolic See — a moment of grace in a time of trial, and a beacon of hope for a nation seeking peace.