War in Ukraine

At dawn on Oct. 29, people were already lining up outside the Catholic Cathedral of God the Merciful Father in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine. By morning, about 2,000 had gathered for bread, among them children carrying empty bags, some without their parents.

According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the temporary protected status (TPS) designation of Ukraine and related benefits were set to terminate Oct. 19. A bipartisan bill introduced in the House of Representatives Oct. 5 would extend temporary protected status for eligible Ukrainians by redesignating protections until July 1, 2029.

Ukraine’s religious leaders are pleading with Pope Leo XIV and global faith leaders, as well as the international community, to “use every available means” to save Ukrainian civilians facing starvation amid a Russian blockade.

The Vatican foreign minister urged Russian officials to end their war with Ukraine and to begin negotiations with the help of the international community.

An overnight July 30 onslaught of Russian missiles and drones struck Ukraine, leaving eight people, including several children, dead and dozens wounded in the aftermath.