As half a million Ukrainians crossed the borders into neighboring countries to flee the war, the European Ukrainian diaspora and ordinary citizens turned out to welcome and help transport, feed and house them.
War in Ukraine
Ukrainian Catholic priest begins exorcism ritual aimed at Putin
A Byzantine priest from Lviv, a native of Donetsk who became famous throughout Ukraine after being captured by separatists in 2014, announced the beginning of an exorcism ritual aimed at Russian President Vladimir Putin.
As Ukrainian Americans fear for loved ones in war, Archbishop Lori offers solidarity
Archbishop William E. Lori offered solidarity with the Ukrainian community, greeting parishioners prior to morning worship and listening to harrowing stories of family members besieged in Ukraine. He strongly condemned the invasion.
‘With a heart broken,’ pope prays for peace in Ukraine
Pope Francis said his heart was “broken” by the war in Ukraine, and he pleaded again, “Silence the weapons!”
Pope visits Russian Embassy to express concern over war
As Russia continued its assault on Ukraine and Russian troops pressed toward the capital, Kyiv, Pope Francis left the Vatican Feb. 25 to pay a visit to the Russian ambassador to the Holy See.
Europeans, shocked at Russian invasion of Ukraine, pray for peace
Ambassadors to the Holy See, priests, religious and laity packed Rome’s Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere to overflowing Feb. 24, pleading to God for peace in Ukraine.
Despite invasion, nuns say they’ll remain in Ukraine to serve the people
Women religious in Ukraine are facing Russia’s full-scale invasion of that nation with determined faith and a commitment to service.
U.S. church offers prayers, solidarity after Russia attacks Ukraine
As war broke out in Europe Feb. 24, with Russia’s early morning attacks on various parts of Ukraine, Catholics in the U.S. joined Pope Francis in prayers for the people of the East European nation and for peace.
Cardinal says there’s still time to stop ‘folly’ of war
Despite Russia’s decision to begin military operations in Ukraine, there still is time to stop and “spare the world from the folly and horrors of war,” said the Vatican secretary of state.
Ukrainian archbishop assures people that God is with them
As Russia fired missiles on several Ukrainian cities and Russian troops reportedly landed in Odessa, the head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church affirmed the right of Ukrainians to defend their homeland and assured his people that God would watch over them.
Pope calls for day of prayer, fasting for peace in Ukraine
As the threat of war loomed over the world, Pope Francis called on people to pray and fast for peace in Ukraine on Ash Wednesday.
Catholics in Poland, Western Ukraine welcome people fleeing threat of war
With the “further escalation of tension in Ukraine,” the president of the Polish bishops’ conference asked Polish Catholics to continue praying for peace, but also to be prepared to welcome Ukrainian refugees.