Painting of Bucha and flower of peace: Zelensky exchanges gifts with Pope
Pope Francis and President Zelensky. Photo: Radio Svoboda
On October 11, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Pope Francis during his visit to the Vatican, reports the Italian resource Ansa.it.
The meeting lasted 35 minutes, from 9:45 to 10:20, in the library of the Apostolic Palace. Afterward, there was a meeting with the Ukrainian delegation.
Pope Francis gave the Ukrainian president a bronze bas-relief depicting a blooming flower with the inscription: "Peace is a fragile flower." In return, Zelensky presented the pontiff with an oil painting titled "The Massacre in Bucha: The Story of Marichka."
“The talks in the Secretariat of State were dedicated to the state of the war and the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, as well as ways that could bring it to an end, leading to a just and stable peace in the country. In addition, a number of issues concerning religious life in the country were discussed," said the Vatican press release.
As reported by the UOJ, religious expert Liudmila Fylypovych suggested that the Pope might demand that Zelensky repeal Law 3894-IX, which concerns the Church ban.
Read also
Orthodox and Catholic bishops make joint visit to Mount Athos
The head of the Phanar blessed a joint pilgrimage to Mount Athos by Roman Catholic and Orthodox bishops.
UOC Kryvyi Rih Eparchy marks 30th anniversary
Metropolitan Yefrem led the anniversary Divine Liturgy in Kryvyi Rih.
Ostapenko: Everyone in UCCRO feels fine except the “FSB UOC”
The director of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve called the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches “a wonderful organization.”
Khmelnytskyi Eparchy donates funds for treatment of 12-year-old girl
UOC believers raised UAH 20,000 for Anastasiia Mamchur as part of an eparchial charity campaign.
Shevchuk: We had to convince world UOC ban does not violate religious freedom
The UGCC head claims that by banning the UOC, the state is not violating religious freedom but merely protecting the Church’s faithful from Moscow propaganda.
Lavra reserve head estimates damage to Dormition Cathedral at €15 million
Maksym Ostapenko said restoring the Dormition Cathedral would take at least a couple of years and require major funding.